Incorruptible

Chapter 2: Flight

The Aurors wasted no time and stunners rocketed out of their wands. With a nonfunctional wand arm, he could barely defend himself from the onslaught of spellfire. Crimson blinded his vision and he knew blackness would hit him but to his surprise, Dumbledore came to his aid. The tall wizard stepped in front of him and he found it awfully hard to see around the man.

"Stop," Dumbledore's command cut through the silent atrium. "This is not our enemy. Our enemy is the one who seeks to destabilize us, to demoralize us. We must not-"

While Dumbledore usually had every wizard hanging onto his words, the death of their Minister was too much. A limping wizard with unusually yellow eyes stepped forward.

"We must not allow Potter to leave the Ministry. He has committed treason. Hand him over, Dumbledore. You cannot protect him anymore."

Fear and panic rose to new heights. Would Dumbledore abandon him, after what he had done? He would be chained to the chair this time, as a real criminal. There would be no witnesses to support him. He gazed at the assembled Aurors and Ministry workers. Instead, they would all admit to witnessing his treasonous act and they would recite Voldemort's praise- Well done, Harry Potter. He was brought out of his reverie as Dumbledore dug an elbow into his chest.

"Harry, I'm afraid we must take our leave. Grab my elbow and whatever you do, do not let go. Rufus, we will continue this conversation on a later date."

The Aurors had moved into an attacking position. His heart began hammering as it hit him. Dumbledore would not leave his fate to the Ministry! He immediately grasped Dumbledore's elbow with his uninjured hand.

"Dumbledore, you can't possibly think about harboring Potter and taking on all of us. This is madness," the Auror named Rufus looked at Dumbledore in shock, but at the same time, pointed his wand against the old headmaster.

Dumbledore chose to chuckle while Rufus nodded to his men.

"No Rufus, this is madness," with a grandiose sweep of his wand the air exploded. Shockwaves exploded and wind roared around the pair of fugitives, sending the Aurors and those near them crashing to the ground. Screams broke out around the atrium and the Aurors scrambled to mount a response. Harry felt his hair whip around him and suddenly, it was as if electricity was dancing across his skin. As soon as the sensation occurred, the whirlwind of air caught fire and formed a protective cocoon around them. Despite the oppressive heat and the roaring blaze, Dumbledore's voice managed to pierce through the chaos.

"It was my intention that we Apparate. Unfortunately, the Aurors have managed to ward against our departure. However, there are few protections that have the ability keep a phoenix out. Fawkes!"

The immortal bird appeared before them and sang a note that warmed Harry's heart and eased the pain in his disfigured arm. The headmaster reached with a wrinkled hand and suddenly, they vanished in a torrent of flames. Dumbledore's spell faded instantly, leaving a handful of people bruised and battered. The former heroes of the wizarding world were nowhere to be seen.

They reappeared in the headmaster's office and Fawkes glided to his perch. Dumbledore acted swiftly, causing Harry's arm to flare with pain as the holly wand was torn from his grasp. The headmaster earned Harry's forgiveness by singing in a foreign tongue, his wand emitting a soft glow. Harry felt oddly detached, watching his arm move backwards through time as bone untwisted and flesh regenerated.

"My apologies Harry, given the circumstances in which we are currently facing, I could not risk another incident."

Ashamed by his actions, Harry tried to blurt out an apology but was interrupted before he could even begin. Dumbledore plopped into his customary chair and gestured for Harry to do the same. The man twirled his wand and two glasses appeared while a bottle of some amber fluid zipped from a cabinet. Harry did not realize how exhausted he was until he felt his back hit the soft chair.

"Sir," his voice croaked and clearing his throat provided minimal relief. "What are we going to do?"

Dumbledore responded by handing him a glass filled with the amber fluid before replying.

"This scotch was given to me at the Order of Merlin ceremony following the defeat of Gellert Grindelwald. It was to commemorate the beginning of new times, of a new life."

Dumbledore paused to inhale the scent of the amber liquid, causing Harry to emulate his actions.

"Ah, such truly wondrous notes. I propose a toast to our new life and good health."

It was powerful and burned his throat, unlike the mellow and soothing butterbeer.

"Sir, I couldn't stop him. He was too powerful and it was my," Dumbledore interrupted this thought, preventing him from drowning in guilt.

"Given the nature of the wizard that you were fighting, you could not have hoped to succeed. This is a monster who is older, cleverer, and more skilled than you are. Any wizard in your situation would have never regained their mind, their identity, and would currently be standing by his side right now."

The thought of being a mindless puppet to Voldemort sent chills down his spine.

"How am I still here then?"

Dumbledore's eyes regained a bit of a twinkle as he opened his mouth to respond.

"Love, Harry. It was your mother's blood, coursing through your veins and Voldemort's, that prevented him from completely destroying you."

Harry felt his eyebrows scrunch as confusion set in before it hit him.

"The resurrection ritual from last year," he said breathlessly.

"Well done, Harry. I believe your mother's blood protected you once again, and it may even protect you from certain death but that is merely conjecture and beyond the realm of proven theory. As you may have ascertained, while Lily's blood might grant you some protection, it is not a complete safeguard from all harm."

Harry's knuckles were white from the force of gripping the chair as panic rose within him.

"Then what do I do? What if he takes over again and I can't stop myself again?"

The rather calm headmaster raised his hands in a reassuring manner and spoke softly.

"Harry, I imagine the scotch may have tempered your emotions which would naturally lead to a stronger defense of the mind. I'd like to test your Occlumency to ensure that Voldemort cannot possess you in such a manner again. Perhaps Severus may have missed a crucial technique."

Before he could mount a response against Snape's teaching abilities, the world vanished. He was in an orphanage while the other kids stole his food, he was at Hogwarts learning transfiguration from the man who defeated Grindelwald, and then he was rushing through the Department of Mysteries in the Hall of Prophecies…NO!

Abruptly, the world returned and his vision cleared. Once again, Dumbledore lost the twinkle in his eye and looked absolutely startled, but suddenly, cold power emanated from the wizard. He brandished his wand and a Patronus dashed from his wand while he reached for the bottle of scotch.

"Drink?" Dumbledore didn't bother to wait for a reply and filled Harry's glass of scotch. They sat in silence, both wizards nursing their drinks while digesting the latest memories. It felt completely natural to Harry. The memories seemed so vivid, as if he had actually lived that life. But he knew it wasn't his memories. It was Tom Riddle's and this caused him to worry.

The knocking on the door broke the silence that had befallen the room.

"Enter," barked the venerable headmaster, and the door opened, allowing for Snape and McGonagall to enter the room. McGonagall appeared frazzled while Snape remained pale and shaken.

"Albus, Potter! You're both safe! Albus, what in the name of Merlin happened at the Ministry? The wireless has been claiming Fudge is dead and that the both of you and the Dark Lord were involved. The houses are in chaos and Umbridge is nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, the Aurors are at the gates of the castle and they demand entry. They have produced writs documenting Wizengamot order for yours and Potter's arrest," she breathed loudly, having spoken so quickly that her speech was almost incomprehensible.

Dumbledore raised a hand to calm down his stressed head of house while flicking his wand with the other hand. Several trunks glided from the man's private quarters and landed softly. The books, instruments and various knickknacks began packing neatly into the different trunks.

"Now now, Minerva, as with every piece of news that is reported, there are always distorted truths. Yet, it is true that Lord Voldemort has dealt a devastating blow against us. It was something that I could not have predicted but I will attempt to remedy this tonight. It is for that reason that I require your presence tonight, Severus."

Snape stepped forward without glancing at Harry and began his diatribe.

"Headmaster, I am always willing to provide any service that you should require. However, I must state that I do not wish to take part any action that involves Potter. Clearly, the boy is…" Harry had a scathing retort for the Potions Master but Dumbledore interrupted the greasy man with a softly spoken demand.

"Your wand, Severus. I require your wand." Snape looked dumbfounded and hesitantly handed it to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, I fail to see…" Snape was cut off as Dumbledore leveled his wand at the man, drawing a gasp from McGonagall and excitement in Harry.

"Yes, Severus, you do fail to see. We both failed to see what was right in front of us and now, the price has been paid. I need to know how you taught Mr. Potter the fundamentals of Occlumency."

Snape attempted to project an air of aloofness but without his wand, he could not but feel helpless in front of Dumbledore. Therefore, when Snape replied, there was a hint of a tremor in his voice.

"I attempted to teach Potter the art through practical demonstration and experience but he simply did not have the aptitude for such magic."

Anger boiled in Harry. What Snape did could not be considered teaching.

"He lies! Snape's idea of teaching involves throwing out the Legilimens spell and to defend it by, clearing my mind," Harry spat out that last bit, putting emphasis on Snape's aggravating instructions.

"And what of theory?" asked Dumbledore, his voice completely level. Snape now appeared nervous.

"I – I did not see it necessary." His anger exploded and without realizing it, Harry rose out of his seat and bellowed a command.

"TELL THE TRUTH!"

Harry commanded with such force that it shot chills down Dumbledore's spine while Snape lost all color in his face and stepped backwards, clutching his arm. McGonagall almost did not recognize her student, such was the might of his command.

Alarmed by Harry's response, Dumbledore spoke once and then jabbed his wand at Snape.

"Allow me to gather the truth, Harry. Legilimens!"

Snape dropped to a knee and collapsed to the ground after a few heartbeats. Sweat poured down his face and Dumbledore began to show signs of exertion, his eyebrows furrowed. McGonagall twisted her hands with agitation, looking as if she was fighting against herself. Suddenly, it was over and Dumbledore saw what he needed. His lined face took on an unnatural look of contempt and disappointment.

"You were given a task in which I had hoped would ease old wounds and forge new relationships, instead you have failed me. You have failed to protect him, and even worse… Severus," Snape panted heavily. Black eyes met green and Dumbledore drove his point home, tearing not through the man's mind but through his heart. Dumbledore's words cut into him deeper than any spell possibly could.

"Even worse, you have failed her."

This statement sent Harry's thoughts racing. He had his mother's eyes. How did Snape fail her? He was a Death Eater. But what alarmed Harry the most was the odd noise that was coming from Snape. His greasy hair covered his face but there was no mistaking that noise for what it was, he was crying.

Dumbledore left the defenseless man on the ground and turned to face his deputy headmistress. She appeared to be in shock at Dumbledore's actions.

"Minerva, your first action tonight will be to allow the Aurors into Hogwarts. Your second and perhaps, most precious task is to ensure the safety of the students for they shall no longer be entrusted in my care. This I leave in capable hands. Finally, what you have witnessed in the last quarter hour is my attempt at fixing my mistakes. Forget what you have seen and what you have heard, for there is a lot that you do not know and without such knowledge, would only lead you to the wrong conclusions."

"Albus, while I don't agree with or understand what happened tonight, you can't just leave. The castle is a safe haven. Without you here, it will not be as safe for the students."

"The charges of high treason placed against Harry and I would mean that we would be occupying this castle unlawfully. I think we'd rather not have hostage taking added to our list of crimes," the headmaster appeared awfully nonchalant about his criminal status, smiling at his little joke.

"No, Harry and I must embark on a journey which shall hopefully prevent this catastrophe from happening again. I must ask that you rush to the gates with haste, otherwise the Ministry may levy such heavy charges against you as well."

McGonagall appeared frozen with indecision, unsure if wireless was correct about Dumbledore's mental faculties but she relented and bid them luck. She spared Snape a glance but sensing that he still upset, left without saying a word to the Potions Master.

Dumbledore shrunk the trunks to the size of a matchbox and placed them in his breast pocket. A similar sized trunk zipped through the open window which Dumbledore then tossed to Harry. From the markings on the object, Harry realized Dumbledore had secured his own personal effects. Grateful that he was not leaving with just the clothes on his back, he thanked the professor.

"I really appreciate it. Where are we going, Professor?"

Dumbledore motioned for Harry to grasp his arm while Harry peered around the barren office.

"A place which shall heal your mind and provide you with the relief that you seek. We are heading to the Swiss Alps. There you shall find your answers."

Thoughts of Ron and Hermione and England rushed through his head.

"But sir, what about Ron and Hermione? What about…" Anticipating the next question, Dumbledore interrupted the young wizard.

"Fear not Harry, you shall see them once more. We shall return one day," Dumbledore turned forcing both of them to reveal their backs to Snape. His voice oozed with such disappointment that Harry almost felt bad for Snape, almost. The greasy bastard deserved it.

"I expected more from you, Severus. Remember what you once promised me. Return to him now, after you have composed yourself. If you should fail me again, the truth shall be set free."

As the battalion of Aurors rushed up the slopes leading to Hogwarts, they spotted a burst of flame from the seventh floor and knew that they had been too late. The two wizards had fled.