Disclaimer: Everything except the plot belongs to JK Rowling. Tarop is mine though :P
A/N Ok I did whatever I could to fix the last chapter, sorry that my other ones were so hard to read, hopefully this one also works. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. If you want to add your ideas to this story, your welcome to Review me with them, I would be honored to use whatever you think would make this story more interesting. Anyways enough chit chat from me, on with the story!
Xx Harry Potter and the Unforgettable Destiny xX
Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up? Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck? Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost? I'll show you mine if you show me yours first Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words We live on front porches and swing life away, We get by just fine here on minimum wage If love is a labor I'll slave till the end, I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand I've got some friends, some that I hardly know But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go-Swing Life Away by Rise Against
Chapter 15
Xx Swing Life Away xX
The last few weeks went by fast, Harry didn't even realize it was almost Christmas until he ran into Hagrid, who was carrying in one of the trees. The revelation that he would be spending the holidays with Voldemort irked him, but he knew he made a promise and he always kept them. So here he was sitting in his Dorm, packing up his trunk for tomorrow, he still had no idea how he was getting to Voldemort's, but he figured someone was going to tell him. Oh yah, one other thing, Voldemort still hadn't left the school, Albus even had to give the man his own room, because he refused to leave his pupil, ach. The only thing that was keeping him sane through all this, was the secret training days he had with Draco.
Draco suggested to use the Astronomy tower for the training practices, Harry proposed to use the Room of Requirement, which led them to the seventh floor. They both stood in a bare room, except for a plat form, and mattress lining. There was a fire burning in the hearth which was the only source of light. They gave each other a look before they entered into the dark room, the door closed and locked behind them, Harry sighed pulling out his wand. "Which spells are we going to start with first?" He asked Draco. Draco shrugged.
"Which ever you think will work, I mean you have to think that I'm Voldemort, even though i'm not and never wish to be. Especially at the end of your wand." At this Draco eyed Harry's wand warily, he knew what Harry could do when he was provoked, and extremely pissed off. Harry just smirked and moved onto the platform, Draco not far behind. They both stood on opposite ends of the platform, Draco had taken his wand out and now faced Harry.
Harry closed his eyes as he imagined himself facing Voldemort, anger swelled within him. "You ready?" he whispered to Draco, Harry opened his eyes and saw Draco nod. Harry sighed and raised his wand, they bowed to each other and the dueling began. "Impedimenta" Harry yelled, Draco ducked, then threw out a curse of his own.
" Silencio" Harry dodged it and gave Draco a look, before he yelled out another curse. Draco dodged this one and twisted around, "Stupefy" He yelled. Harry dropped to the ground and rolled to the side, listening to it impact against one of the mattresses lining the walls. Harry stood up, taking a deep breath he glanced around the room. He smiled slightly at the mess they had made, when the spells missed them and hit the wall. Shaking his head Harry stepped off of the platform. Draco followed him confused.
"I think thats enough for today, Your not in character. I can't train with you. I doubt Voldemort would ever use the Silencing charm on me. Jeez Draco, it's not you i'm dueling." Harry took a deep breath and turned to look at his friend, "I'm sorry, it's just i'm worried, I don't want to lose to him, It's my last chance to prove something to him. That i'm not just some boy, but someone who can kick his ass anyday. I need to know his moves and I need to become powerful." Harry groaned, "This is never going to happen."
Draco moved over to him, and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, "It will happen Harry, If you want it to. We'll just keep practicing until you have your power under control. I'll do the best I can, acting as Voldemort, I'll even provoke anger from you if it helps. I just hope you don't damage me in the process." Draco half joked. Harry smiled and nodded to him. Then they were off once again practicing until they heard the clock tower strike midnight. Harry ran off to Gryffindor tower, and Draco ran off to the dungeons, and the Slytherin common Room.
Harry sighed as he remembered everything that happend. They continued to do that for the last week, and Harry could feel his magic getting stronger, and more focused. He was also training with wandless magic. He wasn't as adept to it as he was with his wand, but the control and power was increasing, slowly, but it was one thing that Voldemort couldn't do. Harry couldn't help but smile. Soon all his hard work, would pay off. It wasn't long now. He turned back to packing up his stuff, he knew he needed to bring enough stuff to keep himself occupied, he didn't want to face Voldemort, he wanted to be busy and avoid him, for as long as he could.
"Harry?" He heard someone calling him from the staircase. Sighing Harry moved over to the door, lately people have been giving him a lot of space, Harry suspected it had something to do with Voldemort. He opened the door and stared down at Ginny. He sighed and opened the door wider, letting her in.
"What do you want Ginny?" He asked, trying to make his voice as neutral as possible. Ginny looked around the room and noticed the packed up trunk, and the scattered items littering the room from all the other boys. She turned back and stared at Harry. He looked tired and wary, he seemed sad. She wanted to help him, but knew he wouldn't let her.
"So you are leaving to stay with Voldemort for the holidays then. I wasn't sure you would go through with it."
"I have to Ginny, I made a promise, I have to keep it."
"Why? It's not like it matters what he thinks, what about us? Don't you want to spend the holidays with friends?"
Harry sighed as he looked down at his feet. He looked up at Ginny through his eyelashes, which made Ginny's heart skip a beat. "It's not that it matters what he thinks, it's my only chance to figure out his weak spot, Remember Ginny I'm the one that has to kill him. Besides Draco's going to be there, so i'll have someone to hang out with, I won't be alone." Ginny stared at him in confusion.
"What do you mean your the one that has to kill him?" Harry groaned, as he remembered he was the only one who knew about the prophecy. He sighed and moved over to his trunk, were he pulled out all the Christmas gifts he had bought when they went into Hogsmeade in October. He handed them to Ginny.
"Make sure that Ron, Hermione, Fred and George, and Lupin get these. Yours is in their too, oh and soo is Tonks'." Then he turned his back on her just as she was about to open her mouth. "Please don't ask again, I don't have an answer, just a feeling." He winced at the lie, but was glad she couldn't see his face. He stood their waiting, but nothing happened. He turned around and stared at Ginny, she just stood their, the gifts piled in her arms. Harry felt a pain in his chest, but knew he was doing the right thing. He turned away once again, and moved back to finish up his packing.
Ginny left a few minutes after that, realizing that Harry probably wanted to leave without people surrounding him. As soon as she made it back to her dormitory, she let the tears fall freely down her face. The presents droppped and forgotten on the floor beside her bed. Why can't he tell her what was really on his mind, she knew he was hiding something, but she didn't know what. She punched her pillow in a fit of frustration, and then even more tears poured out of her eyes. She turned to her bedside table, and stared at the picture of Ron, Hermione, Her, and of course Harry. He was normally to shy to stay in the picture, but this was taken on a day when he was happy, and didn't care. When Sirius was still alive.
XXXXX
Harry groaned, he was stuck lugging his trunk down to the Entrance Doors, where he wasn't surprised to see Dumbledore waiting for him, and Voldemort who happened to be outside, talking to a man who was sitting inside one of the thestral drawn carriages. "You know Harry, you don't have to go through with this, it's not like you made a Wizard's promise, which is impossible to break. You can back out now." Dumbledore's ever clear blue eyes stared down at Harry with worry, and a grandfatherly type of love. Harry shook his head.
"I have to Professor, it's the only way anyone could ever expect me to win, I have to be close to the enemy, the only way i can think of is going with him. I doubt he'll do anything to hurt me, no not after everything he's tried to do to get me to him. Don't worry I'll be fine, if worst comes to worst, i've got Draco with me." Dumbledore just nodded at him, and then patting him on the back, walked him out to Voldemort. Harry could feel the air tense up as Voldemort and Dumbledore stared at each other, both fighting over the urge to curse the other. Harry let a smile pull at the corners of his lips as he lugged his trunk into the carriage. Then he turned to Voldemort, "How are we getting to your place?" He asked. Dumbledore quirked his eyebrow at this, and then he smiled his blue twinkle back in his eyes.
Voldemort chuckled shaking his head at Harry, "Well my boy, since you seem to be good at popping yourself in and out of my place, we'll just be apparating back, i'll take your trunk since your still not good with taking things with you." Harry nodded and climbed into the carriage, Voldemort got in on the other side. Harry leaned out the window and called Dumbledore over.
"Please Professor don't do anything stupid like coming after me. I know you figured out where i'm going to be, but this is my battle now, I don't want anyone else fighting it for me. I think i'm able to take care of myself now."
"Of course Harry, I just wish this was a different situation, but of course we will not intrude, but if things get bad, please try and send us a message and we will come as fast as we can to help you. Thats a Promise." Harry only nodded and sat back down in the carriage. Finally the carriage began to move, and they turned away from the building that Harry was so use to calling his home. The carriage brought them all the way to Hogsmeade, where Harry and Voldemort climbed out of the carriage. When Harry looked back up at the castle, he noticed another carriage making his way towards them, when Harry looked over at Voldemort, he noticed the Voldemort was watching it aswell. Harry figured that this was the carriage that was holding Draco, and probably one other person, Harry could only suspect was Snape.
The carriage stopped at Hogsmeade, Draco looked out and saw Harry and Voldemort waiting for them. He glanced over at Snape, before he climbed out of the carriage. Harry gave him a smile, and then turned to look at Snape, a strange look in his eyes. Draco didn't know what was going on, but he knew not to ask, especially with both Voldemort and Snape their. He moved to stand beside Harry, giving him a pat on the back before he moved to stand beside his Potions teacher. Draco had to use the assistance of someone else to get to Voldemort's hideout because he didn't know how to apparate yet. Glancing at Harry he noticed that Harry wasn't standing with Voldemort, instead Harry's trunk was. Draco looked confused, he didn't know what was going on, was Harry taking a portkey to Voldemorts? The answer came to him when Voldemort nodded to them and apparated away.
Harry sighed and brought the image of Voldemort's hallway to his mind, then one last look and a smile at Draco, he apparated to Voldemorts. Voldemort gave Harry's trunk to the Death Eater that had greeted them, and Harry followed. Just as he was about to reach the stairs, he heard the arrival of Draco and Snape. Draco ran up to him, grabbing his arm and turning him around. "You never told me you knew how to apparate!" Draco yelled at him, hurt in his eyes. Harry sighed looking away.
"I didn't think it mattered, I mean, I thought you already knew how to because you were in Voldemort's ranks, but i guess I wasn't right at guessing." Harry pulled his arm out of Draco's grip as he turned back to look into his grey eyes. Draco's face was slightly red from anger, he turned and stormed up the stairs, not even sparing a glance back. Harry sighed, Great I just ruined the only thing that would of saved me here, I'm just bloody brilliant sometimes, jeez. He climbed up the stairs, his pace slow, he wasn't looking forward to the rest of the holidays, especially since his only friend and ally under this roof was now mad at him.
Harry reached his room and collapsed onto his bed. This was going to be the longest and probably worst Christmas holiday ever. He rolled over and looked at his bookshelf, he noticed that their were new books there. He stood up and began to read the titles, Hmm..Interesting, there are some pretty good training books here. These could be useful. Harry thought as he pulled out one interesting looking book. He sat down on his bed, and for the next few hours read through the book. It had everything he needed, new spells that would help him in the duel against Voldemort, and for the upcoming war. He knew he was going to have to start training, Draco probably wouldn't be helping him for a while.
Draco laid on his bed, he thought back to what he had seen Harry do. It wasn't fair, Harry should of told him that he could apparate. Maybe he could ask Harry to teach him how to, then Draco shook his head. Harry wouldn't teach a Death Eater how to Apparate because it would give them a better chance at going after him. But what if he was teaching me, his friend? Would he do it then? Draco felt confused, he hadn't had someone close to his age, with him when he was here. He had grown up in the Mansion, since his father was the one that was entrusted to take care of it, and so they had lived in it. Draco had to admit that Harry wasn't such a bad person to be friends with, he was immensely loyal, and Draco could admit that it was a nice change to what his friends were normally like back in the Slytherin common Room. Harry was a new change, and he was teaching Draco how to care, something he had almost grown up forgetting, like his father had a long time ago. Draco sat up glancing around his room. He wanted to learn everything he could, he knew he could never be more powerful then Harry was now, but he knew that with training he could at least become strong enough to help him train. He was determined to do whatever it took to help Harry kill the bastard once and for all. After all he was the man that destroyed his life, his family, and the last respect he had for his father and for himself, by forcing him into his ranks.
Harry yawned and stretched, he put the book back onto the shelf, he was about to get ready for bed when he heard a soft knock on the door, curiously Harry moved to the door and opened it. There stood Draco, uncertainty on his face, as he held his cloak close to him, as if he could protect himself. Harry sighed at the sign of Vulnerbility and invited him in. Harry saw relief float across Draco's features as he walked into the room. Harry closed the door and stared at his friend curiously, "Whats up Draco?" he asked, there was no malice or accusation in his voice. Draco was happy to note, and he pulled off his cloak and set it gently on Harry's bed. Underneath he was just wearing his normal school robes. Draco shrugged and glanced over at Harry's bookshelf.
"I see the Dark Lord filled up your Bookcase again, with newer books. Have you looked at any of them yet?" He asked. Harry nodded still staring at him, Draco was acting weird and Harry wanted to know why. But he didn't want to force his friend to talk if he wasn't ready. Harry still wanted to know why Draco was here, and why it seemed he wanted to be quiet about it. Draco turned to Harry and sighed, Harry was waiting and he knew he had to tell him. "I need to tell you something Harry, and i hope you don't think anything different of me." Harry just stared at him and waited, there was no sign of any emotion on his face.
Dumbledore sat in his office, contemplating whether he should send someone out to the Riddle mansion to capture Voldemort, or some of his Death Eaters and get Harry back. He couldn't do it, he had made a promise to Harry, a promise he had to keep or Harry would never trust him again. He just wished there was something he could do. When Voldemort was in the school, Albus admitted, that he was scared, but not for his life, because he was ready to die. He's an old man and has been living for too long, no he was scared for the life of young Harry Potter, because he also knew that Harry was ready to die, not because he was old, no but because he feels he has lost everything that mattered to him at the hands of Voldemort. He was prepared to kill Voldemort even if it costed him his life. He saw it in Harry's eyes when he was in the carriage. That was what scared Dumbledore, that before he could even say how soory he was for the life Harry was forced to live, He would be gone from the Wizarding world for good. He never had a chance to be normal, to be a kid. People expected to much from him, and Dumbledore felt guilt overpower him as he thought back, he had expected to much from the young boy. All for what? So he would die fighting a war that he shouldn't even be apart of. It was a difficult time for Albus, the aged wizard only wished that the real Sirius was here, he was the only one who seemed to get through to young Harry, if Sirius hadn't 'died', Harry wouldn't be the way he was right now, He wouldn' have been with Voldemort, or tried to escape Grimmauld place, he would be here right now, not at Voldemort's Mansion, where no one could protect him. His only contact on the health of Harry was by Professor Snape, and he wasn't even allowed to see the boy, the only person Harry was letting near him was Draco, and Draco barely left his side so Snape had no chance to get information, because Voldemort wasn't letting them out of his sight. Dumbledore could see the mistake he had made, and wished he could do anything to take it back, but it was too late.
He wished there was something else he could do, something that could get Harry out of this situation, but nothing came to him. There was a knock on the door that pulled him out of his thoughts. "Come in" He called. Mcgonagall entered, followed by Tarop, Dumbledore stared at them waiting for the reason they were there. He was too tired to do legilimency on them, all he wanted was to lay down for a while, he felt older then he normally did. In Mcgonagall's and Tarops' opinion he looked like he was about to pass out, he also looked much older then he normally did. Sometimes they all forgot how old he really was, the way he acted and always seemed to have his blue twinkle in his eye, made him seem younger, and as if nothing could pull him down. But they knew that the current situation Harry was in was putting a toll on the Headmaster, he really cared for Harry and the guilt of not being there for him when someone was desperatly needed was weighing down on him. Tarop opened his mouth to say something to comfort him, but Mcgonagall hushed him as she moved forward to speak with the Headmaster about important issues. All Tarop could do was watch as the Headmaster drew himself up tall as Mcgonagall addressed certain things that would keep the ageing Headmaster away from his thoughts of the young prophesozed child. Tarop sighed if only Harry knew who he truly was maybe he would let him in and let him help him.
Snape sat in the dungeons of Riddle Mansion, Voldemort had him making potions once again, for him to keep his strength up. Even though he was given the revival potion, he still needed a monthly potion to help his power to grow, and if he used more power then he normally did, then he needed a power rejuvenating potion, so he could regain half of what he lost. Then a continuing monitor of his power potion. Snape was of course the one to make them, he was the best one skilled to making potions, Voldemort was apprehensive with him because it was hard to tell which side he was on, Snape was very good at occlumens, he was just as good as Voldemort actually. Snape glared at this vile potion as he waited while it simmered for 20 minutes. The fact that he was helping Voldemort grow stronger was disgusting to him, but if he refused to do it, then he would be killed, and Snape truly valued his life. Though he knew that Potter didn't, he wasn't anything like Potter, and Snape was glad. He would hate to have Voldemort after him, trying to kill him even in the most subtle way which was what he was doing. Drawing Harry in, acting as if Voldemort wanted to be friends, or not enemies, trying to convince Harry that he didn't want to kill him, that he needed him for his bigger plans, and then once he was sure Harry was falling for the trap, kill him and then kill everyone else that he loved. This duel that Potter had proposed was going to get him killed, Voldemort never followed the rules when dueling, unless it was to his advantage. No way was the Dark Lord going to duel the Boy-Who-Lived and not use the unforgivables, sometimes Snape thought those were the only spells that Voldemort knew. Of course he was wrong on that, it was just him being crazy after being stuck in these dungeons for so long. People actually believed he liked it down here, but they were wrong, he hated it. But it was the only place that potions actually brewed properly.
Harry just stared at Draco, not able to comprehend what he had just told him. How could this be? Shaking his head he sat down on his bed, many different thoughts forming into his already cluttered brain. How could he not have seen this before. Draco lived here, this had been his home, what he was asking Harry to do was just something that Harry was going to be struggling with for a while. Harry didn't have enough time to wait, he had to kill Voldemort in the next year or so, or he would be the one that was killed. Harry looked back up at Draco and stared at his face, the worry and the hope. No, he couldn't dash it, he didn't want to lose the only friend who truly understood what he was going through. "Fine, but on one condition, If he even so much as sends a killing curse at me, then he's dead meat and I no longer care where your stuck living, ok?" Draco sighed and nodded.
"I suppose since i won't have a choice anyways. But to get into a lighter mood, when and where do you want to train now?" Draco asked this time peering around the room in hopes of finding the answer. Harry shrugged as he too looked around, then he stood up and made it to the front door.
"You know this place better then I do, perhaps you know of a good place to go" Harry suggested. Draco only rolled his eyes as he guided Harry around the house, looking for a room that they could use without Voldemort suspecting anything. Which was impossible in any case, considering this is the Dark Lord were talking about, and he knows everything that happens in his house. Surprisingly enough they found a room that it seemed no one knew existed. When they entered it was filled with dust and cobwebs. Both Draco and Harry began to clean using their wands. Half an hour later, the room was clean and was useable. The boys were exhausted and sat down on the dark navy sofa that was in the room. They both stared at each other, "Perhaps we should get some food, do you know where the kitchen is?" He asked Draco.
Draco nodded and they climbed to their feet, feeling tired and weak, they made their way down stairs, sighing as Harry noticed this, they passed the dining room doors and made it to a pair of wooden doors, that stood off to the side. Harry realized he had never seen before. Draco pushed open the doors and they steeped in. The kitchen was huge, there as a large pantry door in one corner, and then there were 2 stoves and sinks. There was an island table in the middle. Harry couldn't help but smile, this would be Petunia's dream kitchen, and Dudley's dream of having this much food in one house. Harry moved over to the pantry door and started to go through the contents. Finally he settled on making them both a meatball marinara sandwich, with lots of cheese and lettuce. Draco nodded, as he had never had it before and was curious. It didn't take him long to make them and soon they were enjoying 2 hot sandwiches, which they washed down with a cold bottle of butterbeer, which Harry had found sitting in the fridge. Soon they felt stronger, they began to ascend then stairs once again when Harry felt a hand land on his shoulder, and not gently as he was use to. Harry almost sank to his knees but stopped himself, he turned around to see who was there, and came face to face with someone who he knew didn't belong here.
A/n I know i'm sorry, but i felt like i needed to give everyone a cliffhanger, maybe i'd get more reviews..I hope so. Anyways..sorry it's probably going to take me a while to update..still working..but i've also got this thing..for the rest of the week..I'm up at 6:30..and i won't be home till like 1:00..something like that..I'm gonna be with a lot of kids. Anyways..I hope your enjoying my story so far. And i'll keep updating for as long as people want me too, or until this story ends.