"So, you really mean to take him there? Tonight?" Snape asked, as Dumbledore collected his traveling cloak. The old man smiled as he nodded.
"In just a few minutes, in fact." Dumbledore smiled, then his face became reflective and sad. "It is long past time. Besides, he will need to know the area."
"Seems like a true waste of time. He needs much more training. It's a waste of his and your time. He could easily go there on his own when it's all over. When there's no risk of getting killed." Snape said, staring pointedly at the Headmaster.
"Has anything changed?" Dumbledore turned to look pointedly at his Defense teacher, who shook his head quickly.
"I am unaware of any changes, that doesn't mean that he hasn't posted a spy there."
Dumbledore gave a small smile and finished fastening his cloak. "I believe Harry and I will be quite safe tonight. I do wish you would reconsider and join us."
"We've been over this a hundred times, Albus, and I've told you every time, he does not need to know just how responsible I am for what's happened to him. Our relationship is very simple. He hates me and I loathe him. There is no reason to complicate things."
"Oh, Severus." The Headmaster sighed. "I wish more than anything in this world you would trust that Harry would understand you better if you simply…"
"Enough!" Snape shouted. "This subject is closed, and I wish you would stop trying to reopen that wound. I will do my duty, and then…" Snape drifted off, turning his eyes to the table where a dozen delicate silver instruments sat, whirring and puffing smoke. Dumbledore shook his head sadly as he stared at his Defense teacher.
Both men were pulled from their musings when a soft knock startled them back to reality.
"Come in." Dumbledore said. Harry Potter opened the door, looking ready for a journey. He had been asked by the Headmaster to bring his invisibility cloak as well as a good warm jacket.
"Ah, Harry, right on time as usual."
"Where are we going, sir? Have you located a horcrux?" Harry asked hopefully. Dumbledore couldn't help but smile at the young man's enthusiasm. Given the life the boy was trying to build for himself, Dumbledore couldn't fault Harry's rush to be rid of the Dark Lord. Dumbledore often felt the same feelings of longing for peace.
"I am afraid not yet. But not to worry, I am sure we will locate on quite soon. Tonight, you and I will be making a much more important journey. One I should have taken you on many years ago. Shall we?"
Harry nodded and turned to leave, with both Snape and Dumbledore following.
"What about the feast, sir?" Harry asked over his shoulder.
"I think the rest of the school will be fine without me for one Halloween." Dumbledore chuckled a bit. Harry gave a slight grin and continued on through the castle until he reached the Entrance Hall. Somewhere on the journey, Snape had disappeared, which Harry was thankful for. The man had become, if possible, nastier to be around. Harry had held three DA meetings, and Snape had done his best to ruin it for everyone by questioning Harry's teaching techniques. However, at the last meeting, a few students, led by Neville, had reminded him that they were not in his classroom, asked the greasy haired git to kindly shut his trap so they could learn something. Snape had not been very happy, and Gryffindor had lost fifty points. No one seemed to care after they heard the story.
Dumbledore led Harry out on the grounds and down to the front gates in silence. Harry was burning with curiosity, wondering exactly where they were going, and what the purpose was of tonight's excursion.
They passed through the gates and walked a little further on before Dumbledore stopped and turned to Harry.
"At our last lesson, I told you that I was quite proud of your progress. You are finding my magic more and more easy to find. Tonight, I shall be taking you someplace and asking you to feel for other people's magic. I think you will find it very interesting, and more than a little important to you. If you are ready, take a hold of my arm."
Harry nodded, and grasped the Headmaster's arm and found himself being squeezed almost at once. He was becoming quite used to it, as he Apparated with the Headmaster more and more often. He no longer felt dizzy or nauseous, though he still truly loathed the feeling.
Harry glanced around and found himself standing on a dark, forest road just outside a small village. He could see a few houses, with cheerful lights in the windows just a short way away from where he stood.
"Sir, where are we?" Harry asked. For some bizarre reason, he felt very nervous as he looked down that road at those warm, invitingly lit windows.
"Harry, I have brought you here tonight because I felt it was time. To be quite honest, you have been ready to come here for a long time. I, on the other hand, was blinded by my wish to keep you innocent. Even after all you have been through and accomplished, it was still my desire for you to have a real childhood. It is now clear that that was an impossibility. Though there is no excuse for keeping you away. Harry, we are here to visit the resting place of your mother and father."
Harry's eyes were tearing up before the Headmaster had finished his speech. On some level, Harry knew the moment they had Apparated onto that road. He would never be able to explain how he knew, but he did. He looked up at the old man, and tried to express his emotions, but his throat was to constricted for any words to come out.
"This way." Dumbledore said, giving Harry an understanding nod. Harry wanted to run to his parents graves, even though he had no idea where they were buried. Dumbledore led them down that dark country road towards the town. They passed the first house, and Harry glimpsed a middle aged woman in her kitchen washing dishes. She looked up as he and Dumbledore passed, but appeared not to have noticed them.
"Sir?"
"I have placed a Notice-Me-Not charm on the two of us. It would not do for people to question our appearance this evening."
Harry nodded and followed the Headmaster.
It was a short journey to a small church, which sat at the end of a lowly lit lane. The building was white, though the paint was peeling. Harry noticed a large stained glass over the door depicting an angel looking over that very church. Dumbledore opened the gate and waited for Harry to step through before shutting it again. They walked behind the ancient looking church and Harry saw hundreds of headstones of different sizes and shapes.
"It was decided that your mother and father be laid to rest here, near to your grandparents. Several other members of the Potter line are here, as well as members of my own family."
Harry looked up at Dumbledore suddenly. The Headmaster happen to turn back, and gave a weak smile.
"Sir, are we related?" Harry asked, thinking of the family tree that Sirius had at Grimmauld Place. He had learned that a great many wizard families were related in some way.
"To my knowledge, no we are not. Though, I have not truly researched my family line. I suppose anything is possible."
Harry nodded. He wasn't sure if he felt relief or sadness that he and the Headmaster did not share a familial bond. Though, he supposed it didn't matter. The Headmaster had at least attempted to be a guiding force in his life, and just as a real parent or family member, the man had made mistakes.
"Here we are." Dumbledore said, stopping before a large headstone. Harry turned to look at the final resting place of his parents. He had imagined several times over the years what it might feel like to be here, but nothing compared to actually standing before it. Harry felt suddenly weak, and he knelt in front of the polished marble stone, and tentatively reached out his fingers to touch the names.
JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 JANUARY 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981 DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
Harry's eyes stung with tears, and his head fell as his feelings overtook him. It was the worst Harry could ever remember feeling, and at the same time, he was thankful to be there.
"They were extraordinary people." Dumbledore said, his voice soft. "I know you've heard many stories by now, and it is a shame that the only way you will ever know them is through the memories of others."
"Why did they hide here?" Harry asked, wiping at his eyes.
"It was my choice. Your father had suggested a small hideaway in Scotland. However, your mother wished to remain close to your Aunt. Lily was hopeful that she could reconcile their relationship. She tried many, many times to reach out to your Aunt Petunia, and I know it always broke her heart when she did not reply."
Harry stood up, never taking his eyes from the headstone.
"Thank you, sir. This really meant a lot to me to come here." Harry said, his voice gruff as he was trying to keep from crying.
"We are in no rush, Harry. I shall give you a few moments to yourself, as I have someone I would very much like to visit. When you are ready, I shall be nearby."
Harry heard the Headmaster shuffle off. Harry suddenly felt awkward as he stared at his parents' grave. He'd seen once on one of Dudley's telly programs that the character had spoken to the graves of people he'd lost as if they could hear him. He didn't know why, but somehow, it seemed a comforting thought.
"Hi, uh, mum, dad. It's me, Harry. I wish I could have come here sooner, though I don't know what it would have helped. I miss you both."
Harry's eyes filled with tears once again, and he didn't try to stop them.
"I wish you were both here. It might make things easier. Though, I suppose if you were here, I might not be in the spot I'm in. But, I'm not alone. Sirius is with me, and Remus, too. Plus, I've got some really good friends. Hermione is really smart, and just an amazing person. She's never once doubted me. And Neville. He's amazing, really. Tracey, Dad, you'd like her. Sirius says she would have been a great marauder. She's really loyal, and brilliant. And I'm in love, too. Daphne, she's… Gods, there are no words that even come close. I know you'd both love her. I haven't really dated anyone else, but somehow, things just feel right with her, like it's meant to be or something. But, who knows, right?"
Harry wiped his eyes, but the tears continued.
"It's so… I don't know how I'm going to do what I have to do. I know that I'm getting stronger, and I'm learning a lot, but I just don't feel like it's going to be enough. But I can't give up. I won't. So, either I'm going to beat him, and send him to hell where he belongs, or… I guess I'll be with you soon."
Harry's sadness began to melt away and he was filled with a fiery determination. Too many people had lost families at the hands of Lord Voldemort, and Harry was destined to end the suffering. Now, as he stood before his parents resting place, Harry wanted nothing more than to face Voldemort right then and there and end his miserable excuse for a life. If the Dark Lord had appeared before him right in that moment, Harry was sure the fight would be over before it began.
"I should go, but I promise that I'll come back soon. Please say hello to Ron, and tell him how much I miss him. It's been a long time since I've had a good Quidditch conversation." Harry chuckled. He took a deep, soothing breath, and wiped his eyes one more time, before turning to look for Dumbledore.
The Headmaster was standing about fifty feet away in front of a small grave. Harry walked over quietly, wishing not to disturb Dumbledore. The Headmaster sensed Harry's presence, however, and turned to speak to the younger man.
"My younger sister, Ariana." Dumbledore said, a hitch in his voice. "She died as a result of my own stupidity, and pride."
Harry looked up questioningly, and Dumbledore gave a watery smile.
"She was accosted by some very young muggle boys, and as a result, she was never able to control her magic. She was unsafe to be allowed around other children, and never got to go to school. My mother took care of her until her death, and I took over. However, I was careless, and in my foolishness, Ariana came to harm. I still have no idea if it was I who caused her death, or if it was just…"
"I'm so sorry, sir." Harry said, feeling the elder man's pain.
"Life is full of choices, Harry. I tried to take the easy path, and my sister suffered for it. My brother has never forgiven me, and even now we have a difficult relationship. Since that day, I have never once taken the easy path, no matter how difficult it promised to be. Even in regards to the choices I made concerning you."
Harry looked up puzzled, and Dumbledore turned and began leading them out of the graveyard.
"It was never easy deciding what to do with you. I have told you already that my biggest mistake was not beginning your training earlier, but I felt it the best for you to be allowed to be as normal a teenager as possible. Even after you faced Lord Voldemort in your first year, I refused to believe it was impossible for you to have some kind of childhood."
"What about after second year?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "I have no further excuses, Harry."
"What matters is you're trying to correct your mistakes, sir." Harry smiled, letting the old man off the hook.
"It would be very easy for you to be angry with me, Harry." Dumbledore remarked.
"But it wouldn't be right." Harry said. "I know now that you just wanted what was best for me. Everyone did. Everyone wanted to protect me, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what you do for people you care about. It's what I tried to do with my friends. But, I understand now that sometimes, you have to accept that you can't always protect the people you care about, and they need to make their own decisions."
"Very wise, Harry. Very wise, indeed. However, it is getting late, and we have one more thing to do here tonight, before we go back to Hogwarts. We'd best be moving along. This way, Harry."
Together, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore left that peaceful graveyard and headed back down the darkened road that had brought them there.
The Halloween Feast was one of the best of the year, and every single student was in attendance that evening to enjoy the annual festivities, and more importantly, the food. Every student that is, except three.
Daphne Greengrass knew why her boyfriend wasn't there tonight, but she had noticed the very obvious absence of Draco Malfoy, and Theodore Nott. She kept turning her head up and down the Slytherin table thinking she had just missed them, and they were along the table somewhere. As one of the special feasts of the year, students were required to stay at their own House tables. Neither Daphne or Tracey were truly enjoying the Feast, as they truly wanted to celebrate with their friends at the Gryffindor Table. Over the past couple of weeks, she had become increasingly curious as to why Draco Malfoy had broken into her trunk, and what exactly he had been looking for. Though she was sure her suspicions were spot on, she wanted to be sure.
She had noticed that Draco disappeared for long periods of time, even skiving off classes. She had also noticed that Draco had developed a strange new mannerism. On the rare occasions that she did see him in the Common Room, he would often rub the inside of his left forearm.
"What's with you?" Tracey Davis asked from across the table, as she reached for a bit more fudge cake. "You've been eyeballing everyone at this table all night. Who are you looking for?"
Millicent Bulstrode who had joined them for the feast, looked up curiously at this comment.
"I'm… I don't know." Daphne shook her head. "Have either of you noticed how weird Malfoy's been acting?"
"What do you mean? I mean, besides using Polyjuice Potion to badly impersonate your sister and go through your things." Tracey asked.
"He's up to something. I know he wanted to get his hands on the Luck Potion, but I have no idea why. What I do know is that it isn't just to get one over on Harry. It's something bigger. I mean, why else would he skive off classes?"
"That's a good point." Millicent said, jumping into the conversation. "You'd think he'd want to learn all he could, so he might be able to best Harry at magic at least."
"Have either of you seen how he favors his left arm?" Daphne asked conspiratorially.
Tracey gave a look of skeptisicm while Millicent looked contemplative.
"Oh, come on." Tracey said, waving her hand as if warding off a fly. "Do you honestly think that You-Know-Who would have recruited Draco? He's a bigger peacock than his father!"
"Who is a Death Eater." Millicent pointed out. Tracey opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The blonde girl looked between Millicent and Daphne.
"Ok. Fine, I'll play along." Tracey said, placing her fork down and leaning on her elbows. "Let's just say that Draco is marked. Don't you think he would have used it by now to pull everyone in Slytherin back under his thumb?"
"What if he's not allowed to say anything?" Daphne asked. "What if he isn't the only one in the house? You heard Sir-uh, Padfoot this summer. You-Know-Who doesn't trust anyone, and if he put a spy in Hogwarts, he'd likely put a back up to watch over the first to make sure he didn't slip up. And let's face it, Draco is the biggest braggart we've ever known. It all fits. Even with his father in prison, he'd still try and assert himself."
"It's more likely he would have tried to get out of his father's shadow." Millie pointed out. "It would have been the perfect time to do that, and prove to everyone he's superior to his father."
"So, if he is marked, what is his mission?" Tracey asked.
"Obviously, it would be to deliver Harry." Millie said as if it were in fact that obvious.
"No, I don't think so. There's no way Draco could even get close to Harry, and I think You-Know-Who would already know that." Daphne shook her head. She looked across the Great Hall to the Gryffindor table, wondering where her boyfriend had gone to that night. He had told her that afternoon when he'd gotten the note from the Headmaster that he had been asked to join Dumbledore for something special. Daphne was worried for Harry, and it was driving her mad that she had no idea where he was. "No, whatever he's supposed to do, I don't think Harry's a part of it. At least, not a major part of it."
"Then, what?" Tracey asked, now sounding more convinced.
"Well, there's only one other person here that You-Know-Who would want dead.' Millicent smiled, folding her napkin and placing it on her plate right before it disappeared.
"Ok, now you're barking." Tracey smiled. "Like Draco would even have a chance against Dumbledore."
"No, of course not." Daphne agreed. "Dumbledore would wipe the floor with Malfoy before he could even get his wand up. But a straight on duel isn't the only way to hurt someone. And maybe that's why he needed the Luck Potion. Maybe he's working on some kind of curse, or something. Something that he could use on Dumbledore without actually having to face him."
Tracey seem to think on that for a few moments. It was pretty well known throughout Slytherin House that the Malfoys had a very extensive library on the Dark Arts. It was possible that Draco could have spent the summer reading up and trying to come up with a way to eliminate the Headmaster, while seemingly keeping his hands clean. And, it was true that Draco, though fairly incompetent, was also one of the most cunning in the entire Slytherin House. Unfortunately for the former Prince of Slytherin, his ego often got in the way of his deviousness.
"Ok." She said finally. "So, what do you want to do?"
Daphne looked up, and Tracey saw doubt in her best friends eyes.
"I don't know. I mean, what if I'm just…"
"Daphne, I've known you pretty much my whole life. If you think the ferret is up to something, then I believe you. I say we try and at least find out what it is."
Daphne smiled thankfully at her best friend. Millicent nodded as well, signaling that she was with them. Daphne breathed a relieved sigh, as now she had unloaded her burden of suspicion, and her friends had believed her. Now, she felt her next move was to confide in her boyfriend.
Harry took in the sight of the broken down house, with one corner of the second floor having been blown out from the inside. He knew at once that this had been the house where his mother and father had met their fate.
The air all around him seemed heavy, and dark. Very slowly, he passed through the low gate and into the once vibrant yard of his parents home. It had been such an emotional experience for him to visit the graves of his parents, but stepping into the house where they had died was nothing short of traumatic. Harry could barely breathe as his fingertips touched the cold metal of the doorknob, and slowly pushed the door open.
Dumbledore stood right behind him, keeping himself reverently silent as the young man made his way through the dilapidated house.
Harry was actually surprised that the house was still standing. From all he had heard over the years, he had thought it was nothing more than a pile of rubble. Yet, here it stood, neglected, dirty, and rotting, but standing, nonetheless.
Harry swore he could feel echoes of his mother and father. He felt he could hear laughter, and whispers as he stepped into the sitting room. He saw the dirty furniture, and his heart gave a lurch.
"I thought it was all gone." Harry said, his voice hoarse with grief and joy.
"Many of their things were taken by unsavory people, hoping to make a bit of gold for the historical value. Though, myself and Hagrid, and a few others, were able to get our hands on more than a handful of trinkets and get them placed inside the Potter vaults, where they await you upon your next birthday."
Harry turned in surprise. "I thought I only had…"
"One vault? Many families establish trust Vaults for their children when they are born. They are there to cover the costs of schooling. Your Miss Greengrass has one, as well as Mister Longbottom."
"How do you know that?" Harry asked, not really sure if he cared.
"As Headmaster, I receive a yearly statement from Gringott's, which tells me which student's tuitions are paid and which are outstanding. I believe that I mentioned this to you at the beginning of this past summer."
Harry remembered how Dumbledore had all but told his Aunt and Uncle that he was extremely rich. Harry had been surprised to learn that fact for himself, though he still had no idea just how much he had.
"Now is not the time for this. You will get all the information upon your seventeenth birthday. For now, we have another matter to see to this evening, and it is getting rather late. I am deeply sorry to have to ask this, as I am sure you would like to see more of this place, but time is against us, I'm afraid. Up the stairs, if you will, Harry."
Harry nodded, and turned to leave the sitting room. As he began to climb the steps he felt as if he were passing through a curtain of ice and electricity. He felt his skin crawl while his nerves hummed.
"Sir?" Harry said as he passed the first two steps and the feeling disappeared.
"There." He pointed. "It felt, cold, and at the same time… painful. Like some one was using the Cruciatus or something."
Dumbledore gave a sad smile and nodded. "I think you are right. I believe that spot was where…"
"My dad was killed. That was his magic. Voldemort's I mean."
"Not all of it. To your right, please."
Harry looked confused, but followed Dumbledore's instruction. Harry climbed the steps and turned to his right. There was no question where he was going, as he could see that the walls were gone, and there was barely anything left of the floor. Harry and Dumbledore could only take a few steps into what was left of Harry's nursery. Harry could see the steeple of the church where his parents were laid to rest over the tops of the trees.
As he passed into the room, he felt the same cold tightness in the air, mixed with something else entirely. This was familiar, and soothing.
"My mother died here." He said, mostly to himself. "He killed here, right here, while she tried to protect me. I can feel it, the magic she invoked, it's… I've felt it all my life whenever I've thought of her."
"That is part of why I placed you with your relatives. What you felt was her magic, protecting you. You've been able to feel her residual magic all this time, though you didn't know it." Dumbledore said softly.
"I can feel his magic as well. It's cold. It feels… wrong, somehow. Unnatural, almost."
"Very impressive, Harry. You are correct. Lord Voldemort has, as he has boasted many times, gone far beyond anyone else into the realm of dark magic. It changes a person from the inside, and leaves it's foulness on them, even upon their magic. There was a time, long ago, when his magic was not so different from your own." Harry turned a disbelieving eye to his Headmaster, who looked very serious. "Had he made different choices, knew what it was to feel loved. If his mother had not been so sick and weak when she gave birth to him and raised him with the love that your own mother felt for you, perhaps things would have been very different."
Harry nodded his understanding. He stood in silence for another moment, trying to picture his mother putting him in his crib, and making sure he was warm enough before kissing his unblemished forehead goodnight. Tears once again formed in his eyes, stinging them.
"I want to go." He whispered.
Dumbledore nodded and led the young man out of that broken down monument and back out onto the lane.
"I am deeply sorry." Dumbledore began.
"I'm not." Harry said, cutting the Headmaster off. "I'm thankful to you for bringing me here tonight. It means a lot to me, truly. And I know why you needed to bring me here. It's the only place that you know of where his residual magic would be strong enough for me to sense. You're preparing me to hunt Horcruxes, aren't you?"
"Now, Harry, we've discussed this at great length."
"Yes, sir, and you've said much more with what you don't actually say. You want to have all the Horcruxes destroyed before I face him, yet you never say that it would be you who destroys them. You said that you're getting on, and with what you've been teaching me, it just makes sense that you're trying to prepare me to go after the ones you don't find."
Dumbledore's smile came back to his face quite proudly.
"I am deeply impressed, Harry." Dumbledore gave a great sigh and finally nodded. "I am very hopeful that it will be me who destroys the rest of his accursed soul anchors, but, fate may have other plans for me."
"Fate, or Voldemort, sir?"
Again, Dumbledore smiled. Harry waited for a response, but Dumbledore remained silent. Harry realized that Dumbledore was hiding something, and Harry was sure it had to do with his lifespan. Harry felt a stab of pain at the thought of Dumbledore's life ending, even though he understood how the elder man felt about life and death.
"How many are left?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Four. At least, I am sure there are only four left. It is possible that there are more."
"But, he felt seven was the most powerful magical number." Harry said remembering what he had seen in the Pensive memories over the summer.
"That, he did."
"Do you have an idea of what they are, or where they might be?" Harry asked.
"I have a very good idea of what they are, as should you. As for where they are…" Dumbledore shrugged half heartedly.
Harry thought for a few moments, trying to recall what he could from all those Pensive memories. Voldemort had felt very strongly about the founders of Hogwarts, and as a descendant of Salazaar Slytherin himself, he felt that any relics of the Founders belonged to him. Harry remembered Dumbledore telling him that he had found the first Horcrux in the hut of Voldemort magical relatives. A place that the Dark Lord would likely feel a strong connection to.
"Sir, do you think it's possible that Voldemort would have hidden a horcrux inside the school?"
Dumbledore nodded. "I believe he has indeed, though I am quite unsure of where it could be hidden."
"What about the Chamber of Secrets?" Harry asked.
"It is likely the most obvious spot, especially as no one could enter there."
"I can. I would be happy to bring you down there so we can search." Harry said. Dumbledore nodded, smiling.
"I had already planned on asking you to do just that. However, it may be hidden somewhere else entirely. The castle is quite large and no one alive knows all her secrets, not even me. Lord Voldemort was one of a very select few who had explored her enough to discover places long forgotten. Even if we don't find a horcrux in the Chamber, there are still many more places it might be hidden. I feel I am close to yet another location, as well. Perhaps, if luck is with us, we might be able to finish them all off before the school year is at an end."
Dumbledore's confident smile did not reach his eyes, and Harry felt that the Headmaster was being a bit vague. Harry felt a weight in his stomach, as he began to imagine what might lay ahead for him. He knew that he had the support of his friends, and that he could count on them all, but what he would not have would be the insurmountable power and knowledge of Albus Dumbledore to help him. Eventually he would have to face his fate alone. Only then would he discover just what kind of wizard, what kind of man, Harry Potter truly was.