Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

This chapter will conclude Iglsorlndo's challenge fic. Hope those of you keeping up with it have liked it. I've had an interesting time writing it and now it's time for it to end. This is the horror part of the story.

A Question of Class

The second time Harry woke up, he expected to find himself tied down again in a chair. Part of him expected to see his parent's worried faces as he had finally been killed. What he didn't expect to see was glass all around him. He was lying flat on his back with a glass covering above him and on his sides. Harry reached up as his heart started to race. It was like a glass coffin but with several tubes connected to it. He turned his head and saw that he was still in the lab. Not too far away from him was Fenton who was chatting with Phineas. Both had their backs to him, so they didn't realize he had woken. Harry took a moment to inspect himself for damages. The only change was that he was no longer wearing his regular clothes. He was in a simple raggedy black shirt.

Harry quickly urged himself to think of a way out without drawing attention. It was impossible without a wand, and at the moment he felt slightly weakened by two doses of the stunning curse.

"Ah, I see you are awake," said Phineas suddenly. Harry looked around in time to see him and Fenton approaching. "I realize you may not be so comfortable, but that will end soon."

"What's going on?" Harry demanded. "Why am I—"
"In that box?" Phineas finished. "All part of Fenton's attempt to prove himself to me."

"By killing me?" Harry questioned with a dark look at Fenton.

"Oh no my dear boy," said Phineas. "By helping us to become a family."

For a minute Harry couldn't say anything. All he could do was replay what Phineas had just told him. Of course it didn't make any sense at all. None of what he was doing made sense, which allowed Harry to believe he was dealing with a mad man. But for the time being, he would play along.

"And how exactly does making me your family help the future?"

"Well as I've said, you will not be going back to your time. You will be spending the rest of your life here. I can not risk sending you back to defeat—"

"Voldemort," Harry finished. "So you've said. But if you think I'm going to sign up as the next Black, you're mad. I'm not pureblood, remember?"

"No, you're lower class," said Phineas. "However, the lower class does have a place among purebloods—as servants."

The last words scared Harry more than anything. He wanted him as a servant, and that could only mean one thing. Phineas intended to turn him into a slave in some way. Phineas intended to keep him from his future, keep him from existing. Harry shook his head. He wouldn't believe it. He did exist, and he had a destiny ahead of him, one that Phineas couldn't change.

Harry turned to look at Phineas. It was pointless to argue it. Phineas's mind was made up. His obsession with blood was too firm. In his mind, getting rid of Harry improved his blood relations. It would save his family, and soon he would be apart of it, in some odd twisted way.

"It will change nothing," Harry spat. "Let me out of here!"

Phineas only gave a soft laugh, then he ran his hand along the top of the glass.

"I don't wish to be so cruel, but there is no other way. You would seem an acceptable lad, except for your…well."

"Blood relations," Harry filled in.

"Yes. I'm sure your wizard friends will cope without you."

Harry didn't want to give him the satisfaction of showing his fear. He couldn't be sure how his friends would react if he didn't return. He was sure they wouldn't allow Voldemort to defeat them just because he wasn't there. He thought about arguing this to Phineas again, but he was reminded of the fact that Phineas would accept it if didn't work. Still, Harry couldn't help feeling that Phineas had the upper hand by keeping him.

"What are you going to do?" he asked quietly.

"Not me, Fenton," said Phineas.

Phineas stepped aside and Harry was left watching the nervous looking man who's eyes were locked onto his spell book.

"This..shouldn't hurt for long. Bare with it."

"With what? What are you doing!"

Fenton walked away from him and over to a large machine where the tubes connected.

"The one time I will allow your silly fascination with muggle gadget making," said Phineas as he stared at it with disgust.

"It's all magic sir," said Fenton. "It'll make it much easier on the boy. But as for us…"

"I've already told you Fenton. He's from the future. No one here is looking for him. It is safe for us to proceed. Safe for you to prove your…darker abilities."

"Yes sir."

Fenton pulled on a lever and there was a loud rumbling noise. Harry pushed against the glass. He kicked and screamed for them to let him out. The men did nothing. Phineas didn't change his mind. He was surveying Harry with much interest. Harry yelled, but then his voice was drowned out by the sudden flood of green potion filling the glass box. It was cool to his skin, but Harry felt as if it were burning his insides. Harry cried out in pain as the potion splashed around. It was hard for him to breathe. He felt himself getting weaker. When Harry raised a fist to pound on the glass again, he briefly noticed it had become thin and slightly discolored. It also seemed to have shrunk along with the rest of his arm. The potion seemed to be diminishing just as Harry was.

In a matter of minutes, Harry was short enough to sit on his knees within the box.

"What's…happening…to…."

He could feel his whole body changing, shrinking, twisting. He looked up through the haze of the horrible burning sensation and the slashing potion to see Phineas approaching him again. His mouth was moving, but Harry couldn't make out the words. Then he saw Phineas pull out his wand and roll it between his fingers. He smiled at Harry and leaned in close.

"Your kind won't be needing this." After that, his wand was broken in two. It was like Phineas had reached right into his chest and crushed his heart. There was no time-turner, no wand, no way to get back home. Harry sunk back, and this time, he welcomed the unconscious bliss that seeped into his brain. For once it had not been brought about by a stunning curse.

Five years later

Phineas gave polite nods and small smiles as he watched his guests mingle among themselves. Near a small group of women, he found his wife chatting away. She seemed in better spirits regardless of their son's traitorous decision, and he was happy for it. He smiled as she wandered over to him.

"Dear, everyone is anxious to hear whatever speech you called this party for," she said.

"Patience dear, patience. It's well worth the wait." He made to take a sip of his wine, only to realize it was empty. "Hoggle!"

Out of a corner of the crowded room, came a small odd looking creature. It was a house elf in a raggedy black shirt carrying a silver tray with a pitcher. His bat like ears waved about as he gave quick nods to excuse himself as he passed his way through the guest. Some people took notice of the fact that Phineas's little elf was slightly different from other elves. For one thing, he had a mop of unruly black hair which didn't quite cover a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Whenever anyone asked where he had gotten him, Phineas would simply say that he came to him out of the blue, and that it was destiny for them to be together. Phineas never treated him too poorly, though he was of a lower class. There were a few welts and scratches on his person from moments where the little creature would try and disobey, but Phineas was always able to pull him back under his control.

"Hoggle, more wine," Phineas ordered as he lowered his glass.

Hoggle gave a nod. "Yes sir, Hoggle will pour master more wine," he said. His voice had a slight elfish squeak, but it mostly sounded human which was another odd trait.

"That's a good boy," said Phineas.

"Hoggle, bring in more hor dourves," his wife ordered.

"Before you do that," said Phineas , "I'd like you to come with me Hoggle."

Hoggle bowed his head. He made to quickly take after the wizard, but ended up tripping and spilling the pitcher of wine across the floor. Many of the guests looked around and cursed the poor little elf. Hoggle immediately went red in the face. He took his tray and began to beat his face with it.

"Bad Hoggle, Hoggle is bad, he—"

Phineas grabbed the tray and prevented him from doing any more damage.

"That will do for now Hoggle." He pulled out his wand and caused the wine to disappear, then he levitated the pitcher to a nearby table. "Come."

Hoggle pulled himself up to his feet and followed the wizard reluctantly. He wasn't sure why, but he was suddenly feeling distrustful of the man. Hoggle followed him to the room that always gave him a sad feeling. Unbeknownst to him, it was the room in which he had once been tied to a chair. As far as he recalled, it was where Phineas had tied him down to question him, perhaps for his employment skills. When Hoggle entered, Phineas shut the door behind them, blocking out all the outside noise. Phineas didn't look at him. He merely crossed the room and stood in front of a window.

"Have a seat Hoggle," he said without turning around.

Hoggle started to move, but quickly stopped when he passed a mirror. He couldn't help it. Every time he passed a mirror, he found himself at a loss. He couldn't help staring at his reflection in shock, awe, and pity. He always felt there was something hidden behind the reflection that he couldn't reach. Phineas turned and watched him curiously.

"What is it Hoggle?"

Phineas always asked, but Hoggle could only shrug and reply, "I don't know sir. I feel as if I don't know…myself." It was the only time he ever substituted "Hoggle" for "I".

"I'm sure you do, if you really think about it," said Phineas. "Go on, think!"

Hoggle stared at his reflection and thought. Images of a young boy came to mind. A young desperate boy in pain, but that was all.

"Well?" asked Phineas.

Hoggle thought some more, then shook his head. "There's a boy. A boy in pain. He had many friends, I think. One was a bushy haired girl. Mu…mudblood," he said distastefully.

Phineas gave a proud smile to hear such a word on his lips.

"The boy,…the mudblood. It feels so long ago."

Phineas gave a nod.

"It can't be real."

"Oh yes it can Hoggle. It is real. In another lifetime you were that boy."

Hoggle's large eyes widened in shock. Suddenly he could see himself as the boy he pictured.

"Sir?"

"It's true Hoggle. I never told you before, and I only thought to tell you as it is your birthday."

"I was…a wizard then? Hoggle was a wizard?"

"Hoggle was a wizard named Harry," Phineas assured. "A wizard from a poor situation, about to be terminated by a dark wizard. Of course, from your point of view it was the other way around. You were destined to destroy pure-blood power."

Hoggle shook his head frantically. "Oh no sir! No! Hoggle would never get rid of pure-bloods! Hoggle would die first than to see pure-bloods harmed."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. You didn't carry that opinion before hand."

Hoggle shook his head, but Phineas nodded.

"It's true."

"What do you wish to do to Hoggle?" he gulped.

"Nothing of course," said Phineas kindly. "I simply wished to share the truth. You have been a loyal servant to me all these years."

At the praise, Hoggle dropped to Phineas's feet and started to kiss them.

"Hoggle wishes to be loyal…he wishes to…to…"

He stopped himself and pulled away. There were instances where he found himself hesitant or repulsed by his natural behavior. After hearing the truth of what he once was, Hoggle felt he understood the odd part of himself. He turned to the mirror and ran a bony finger over his scar.

"I know you shall be loyal," said Phineas with a gentle pat on his shoulder. "Your remaining here, as my servant, will ensure the pure bloods keep their power. "

"Yes sir."

"And to continue your loyalty and as a birthday gift to you, I have arranged for a breeder to bring about a suitable elf."

"Sir?"

"With her, you shall sire an heir which will continue your own line to serve this family."

Hoggle dropped to his knees again and bowed.

"Hoggle wishes to…please you in…any…way."

Phineas patted his head. "Hoggle already has."

Phineas then turned away from him and headed toward the door. Hoggle sat up and with much hesitance, looked into the mirror again.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"Will master ever send, Hoggle back to his time as a wizard boy?"

At that, Phineas gave a small smile.

"Perhaps when I retire, or you are too old, I'll have no use for you, thus, you shall go back to that other life—but as you are, a servant. I expect those that knew you know you to be dead by now. Does Hoggle wish to go back?"

Again Hoggle shook his head.

"Oh no sir, Hoggle is happy here. He is happy serving master Phineas Black, and does not wish to go back to the mudblood."

"Very good."

Hoggle ran his finger across his scar again. Part of him wanted to ask why it was there, but most of him didn't want to remember. Whether he was a wizard or elf in another life, it didn't matter now. He was where he was, and he had a destiny ahead of him; to serve Phineas Black and sire and heir to continue after his time was over. Black had promised to cherish him even after he was gone, by turning his head into a trophy. Until then, Hoggle would remain.

"Sir, just one more thing."

"Yes."

"What is master's speech of? Why are there guests?"

"I plan to recant my retirement from Hogwarts as headmaster. If the pure blood race is saved, I see no reason why I shouldn't continue running the school. They'll see it my way eventually. They'll see it our way. Right, Harry?"

"Hoggle," the elf corrected.

"Yes," said Phineas with a brief nod. "Come, you have hor dourves to serve."

Hoggle gave a quick nod, and after one last look at the mirror, he ran out the door behind Phineas. He no longer thought of the bushy haired girl he now thought of as mudblood.

Well, that's the end of it and I'm glad. Those of you who favorite this story, I really want to see a review from you as to why you favorite it. Iglsorlndo, I hoped you enjoyed it for your challenge. I had an interesting time writing it, although I won't be writing about Phineas anymore I'm sure. It ended on a horror note, a kind of tragic note, which makes the challenge almost reversed. The snake gets Harry.

Anyways, thanks for reading!