Sullen Fate

By: xxlostdreamerxz

Disclaimer; No, I do not own HP.

Note: Sorry the endings kinda crappy here, I ran out of time so I just made an ending so I could start to work on Darkly Treacherous. But all the same, enjoy!

Chapter 5: Revelations

"How can I be condemned for the things I've done, if my intentions were good?" - Kamelot

The Boys' Dorm

The early rays of dawn shot through the window in a kaleidoscope of colors, illuminating the dorm with its brilliant light. It crept slowly across the room - past the piles of unwashed clothes, a few random textbooks - the light, that is, paused as it reached the corner of the room where a lone yellow and black bunk stood.

'Even in the deepest dark, there is light. No matter how scarce or small.'

Nate stared blankly up as his canvas and curtains slowly changed from a dull gray to a luminescent yellow as the light flowed into the room. A strange glint flickered across his eyes as he watched the sun rise and reinstate its power upon the world...

He had once believed, rather blindly, that the Light and its followers could do no wrong. Since after all, according to legends, the Light was pure and righteous; it held itself above the petty battles and emotions of mortals. It was, in essence, morality reincarnate. His lips twitched into a self-deprecating frown.

'All the clues and pieces were there,' Nate thought idly, his mind a spinning, whirling jumble of mad thoughts and memories. 'I shouldn't have allowed my feelings nor my loyalty to blind me from the truth.' He paused, eyes dark with emotion. 'I should have stood firm and faced it like a true Hufflepuff.'

When he'd been sorted five years ago, upon a night when even the brightest stars were obscured by clouds, he had been all but ready to burst out in tears of despair. After hearing about the numerous exploits of his parents and the infamous Marauders, he'd been all but ready to jump the bandwagon and go Gryffindor. And after another lecture about how 'Gryffindors could do no wrong' because they were 'infinitely more loyal, powerful, and brave than the rest of the other Houses combined,' Nate was all but ready to sacrifice a limb or two to get into the renowned House.

And imagine his surprise when he found out that he was...something else.

'Hmm...difficult, very difficult," the Sorting Hat had murmured as it sat snug about his slowly reddening ears. 'You have the bravery of a Gryffindor, a temper akin to a plotting Slytherin, and a brain worthy of a true Ravenclaw. But you choose not to utilize these talents of yours now do you?" The Hat paused for a second as it dug deeper into his memories. "You'd fight to protect your loved ones but you wouldn't fight on principle or in the name of your ambition. Or lack of, should I say?" The Hat stretched upward and chuckled lightly. "You're loyal above everything else, Mr. Potter. A right Hufflepuff you will be!"

Nate remembered sitting there, frozen upon the stool, as Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat off his head. This could not be happening. It had to be a dream, no, a nightmare! He could not be a Hufflepuff for Merlin's sake! He was the Chosen One, the son of two model Gryffindors. He couldn't belong in a House that he'd grown up knowing as - stupid, idiotic, and eccentric...

But then, he heard clapping.

The whole Hufflepuff house, as if sensing his fear and uncertainty, did their part to welcome him into their fold. They all stood, politely as can be, with smiles upon their faces as they shook hands and greeted him with...warmth. Nate recalled feeling slightly dumbstruck as he stared into the un-judging eyes of his fellow housemates. That had never happened to him before, not even with his parents.

His Mum and Dad had expectations for him - first he was to become a Gryffindor, then a Marauder, and finally a powerful wizard. It was overwhelming at times - the pressure that his parents placed upon his shoulders.

But the Hufflepuffs...just didn't expect anything out of him. He was merely a wizard, a companion, and possibly a friend.

Squaring his shoulders with determination, Nate slowly made his way towards the Hufflepuff table, pointedly ignoring the furious whispers that erupted from the staff table. Apparently, both of his parents were not satisfied with his sorting and were determined to convince Dumbledore to allow a resorting. He smiled as a few of his housemates gave him supportive pats on the back.

'We're in this together,' their eyes said warmly. 'We, Hufflepuffs, protect our own.'

Nate had given his parents an apologetic glance, knowing that he had disappointed them. They had, after all, planned for him to be a hell-rising loyal Gryffindor who'd someday bring fame and glory to the Potter name.

'But I can't, at least not the way you want me to,' he thought stubbornly. 'If you want glory, I'll bring it to you myself. My way.'

With a self deprecating sigh, Nate jerked out of his thoughts and leaned back against the soft crimson pillows feeling the soft velvet give way beneath him. His chocolate brown eyes, now dark with sadness, returned to glazing blankly at the canopy - falling back into the dizzying world of his memories.

He had known even then that by accepting his sorting, he was, in essence, shying away from his parent's control. Nate had felt a sliver of embarrassed and guilt back then when he realized that this was why he wanted to stay in Hufflepuff - the stereotyped house of idiots and misfits. He had wanted an out from the stressful relationship he shared with his parents and their friends...and when the sorting hat had offered Hufflepuff, he'd accepted.

'I'm sorry I didn't notice, Harry,' he thought numbly, as another wave of guilt struck him. 'It was wrong of me to ignore the past. I should have noticed something was wrong with our family after all these years.' Nate shook his head in disgust. 'And you had it even worse than me,' he thought sadly. 'Even though Mum and Dad may have pressured me, they spoiled me rotten since they believed me to be the 'chosen one.' But you...you had no one to turn to.'

Nate's eyes glazed slightly as a memory of his discussion with the Headmaster flashed across his mind.

Flashback: Dumbledore's Office

"Well?" Nate demanded, crossing his arms in impatience as he shot Dumbledore his best glare. He had been studying Dumbledore closely for the past few minutes intent upon finding any sign of deception. "Are you going to tell me or not?"

There was another short pause, before Dumbledore inclined his head in agreement. "Very well, Mr. Potter," he said softly. "If that is what you truly want."

Nate nodded.

The Headmaster walked towards the corner of the room and pulled out a large sack of lemon drops, before trudging it towards his desk. At Nate's questioning look, Dumbledore elaborate, "I'll need every one of my wits to be awake if I am to tell you this tale."

Nate raised an eyebrow, but otherwise remained silent. After all, he was to finally unveil the truth behind his brother's mysterious past. And hopefully reveal that his...hypothesis about the Dark Heir was true.

Dumbledore cleared his throat pointedly, as he motioned towards his pensive. "While it may be easier, and perhaps kinder, for me to allow you to access the memories of your brother's past, I believe it would be best for me to explain first."

"Alright," Nate agreed cautiously.

Lowering his eyes, Dumbledore stared down blankly at the small red photo album that he kept of all Order members and their families. A flicker of pain crossed his normally bright and cheerful eyes.

"As you are aware, there was a prophecy that arose during Voldemort's reign - a few months before your birth," he began, looking tired and weary. "It told of a boy of gold and green that was the second in line to one of the greatest bloodlines of wizarding Europe. The boy was the prophesized defeater of the Dark Lord, the 'Chosen One' if you will."

Nate nodded, already familiar with the prophecy.

"The Order searched and scoured through all available historical documents for any mention of the 'great bloodline' and found to our surprise, that the Potters were the heirs of Godric Gryffindor." Dumbledore sighed softly at this point. "I informed your parents of the news and they were ecstatic. Lily was due to give birth in a couple of weeks and the mere thought that she and James had produced the means to save the wizarding world got to their heads."

"Wha-"

Dumbledore continued, overriding Nate's protests. "They began to obsess over your and your existence, even to the point of ignoring your brother." He paused slightly, trying to organize the mess of memories that attacked his mind. "I remember once, when I visited your family, seeing your brother huddled in the corner of the room watching you and your family interact. His eyes looked so old then - filled with a pain and sadness that a child shouldn't know."

There was a moment of shocked silence, as Nate processed the information.

"That's impossible!" Nate erupted, his eyes flaring defensively. "Mum and Dad wouldn't do that! You're lying!" The boy shifted forward in his chair and met Dumbledore's eyes. "There's no way you saw what you did," he declared. "Since if you did, why didn't you report it?"

Dumbledore sighed once again. "Because, I could not."

Nate's chocolate brown eyes narrowed. "Bullshit," he snapped, clenching his fist in anger. "If such abuse truly happened, nothing could have stopped you from telling the authorities. And even if you did not wish for it to become a public affair, you could have handled it quietly." He tilted his chin up stubbornly. "So please, drop the lies, and tell me the truth."

"I am not lying," Dumbledore stated calmly, meeting Nate's eyes. "You have to understand, Mr. Potter, that as a leader there are times when sacrifices are necessary." He plopped a lemon drop into his mouth, feeling slightly regenerated. "You were the Chosen One; the savior of the wizarding world that was destined to defeat Voldemort," he said quietly. "My main concern was to guide the Order of the Phoenix and train you."

Nate studied Dumbledore carefully.

"I made sure that your brother was not physically abused," he added gently, after an awkward pause. "However, there was not much more that I could do for him other than give him a few encouraging words and occasional presents whenever I visited." Dumbledore rubbed his temples tiredly. "I understand that I should have done much more for the young Harry, but we were at war and losing badly. It would have been detrimental for our side to split over such a trivial (in comparison) matter. And your parents were very well liked and powerful figures on our side; it would have been terrible for public moral should it be found that they'd neglected one of their children."

The boy chewed his lip thoughtfully, his chocolate brown eyes darkening. "I..." he paused, trying to regain his bearings. "I understand, but," Nate said softly. "My parents wouldn't have done something like this. It just isn't like them."

A flash of pity flickered across Dumbledore's face. "I understand that this is hard for you, but if you wish to see the truth, you need to look beyond your emotions," he explained, seeing the boy lower his head. "Your parents have raised you, taken care of you, loved you. It is understandable that you're loyal to them. I'd understand if you don't wish to continue this conversation," he added gently. "You can, if you so wish, continue to think of me as the perpetrator. I won't hold it against you."

Nate was quiet as he slowly processed Dumbledore's words. On one hand, he had a hard time believing that his parents had neglected his brother. They just didn't seem to be the type! During his childhood, his parents had would go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that he was happy. They would buy him toy, play stupid childish games with him, and makes his favorite dishes. And while yes, they had expectations of him (after all, which parents didn't?) they loved him. He sighed softly, as a memory of his elder brother's sad emerald green eyes resurfaced. But if his parents truly loved Harry, why had he been so sad? so lonely?

"Please continue," he stated, raising his eyes to meet Dumbledore's as a familiar stubborn fire burned. "I'll make my own decisions about the legitimacy of your words."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with pride.

"Very well, Mr. Potter," he said warmly, as he gave the boy a proud smile which Nate returned hesitantly. "As I was saying, your parents neglected your brother because he did not fit into the perfect future that they'd planned out for you. After all, you were the Chosen One - the future hero of the wizarding community - while your brother was nothing more than an ordinary wizard."

"So? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything." Dumbledore gave Nate a stern look. "With you, they were guaranteed to be remembered throughout history as the parents and guardians of the savior. While with young Harry, they considered him to be a liability. Take for example, what would mean for them if your brother turned out to be a squib? or very magically weak? As your parents, they were bound to get a lot of publicity - good and bad. With Harry, they couldn't be sure that their own reputations wouldn't be tarnished. Not to mention, they were probably worried that you would become too attached to your brother."

Nate gaped in disbelief. "Why would they be worried about that?!"

"Since if your brother did turn out to be magically weak or deficient, he would be the weak point in your defense," Dumbledore explained. "They were worried that should Voldemort ever capture your brother, you'd abandon everything and initiate a suicide mission to rescue him." He paused for a moment, before adding, "Don't get me wrong, but your parents might have made the wrong choices, but they did it in hopes of obtaining a victory for the Light. You shouldn't hold it against them."

Nate's eyes narrowed at this point. "Perhaps," he said coolly, as a strange glint flared in his chocolate brown eyes. "But please, headmaster, do continue."

Dumbledore nodded. "This treatment continued well past Harry's 5th birthday until that fateful day at the Quidditch World Cup," he explained, noticing that Nate's lip was trembling.

"My birthday," he stated.

Dumbledore bowed his head in agreement. "Yes, that was the occasion," he said gently. "During the event your parents sent him down to buy some sweets; however, before young Harry was able to return, Death Eaters attacked."

Nate blinked in confusion. "Why wasn't he Portkeyed out like everyone else?"

There was a short silence before the Headmaster spoke, "When Harry was sent to buy sweets, your parents made him go by himself. So when the Death Eaters attacked, there was no one to defend him or Portkey him out." Dumbledore sighed softly. "Apparently one of the merchants, Mundungus Fletcher, gave Harry an invisibility cloak and told the boy to hide. However, once Voldemort arrived with Nagini in tow, Harry's position was discovered and Voldemort shot a Killing curse at him."

"Did anyone see the curse hit?" demanded Nate instantly.

"Yes," stated Dumbledore, with a sad smile. "Both Sirius and Remus stayed there long enough to see Voldemort's curse hit Harry. They said that they say young Harry's body fall back limp before they Portkeyed away."

A hint of desperation flickered across Nate's face. "But what about his body?" he demanded. "Mum and Dad said that he was never buried." His mouth dropped in shocked horror. "Don't tell me that they left him out to rot!"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, they didn't. Harry's body, for some unknown reason, had never been recovered. Once we returned back to the Quidditch stadium, we searched high and low for Harry body; however, we found nothing. The body just...disappeared."

Nate's eyes sparkled with hope. "So could he be alive?"

"No," Dumbledore said firmly. "It's impossible. No one can survive the killing curse, especially not a five year old child. If there is a reason his body was not found, it was probably the work of Nagini or some random Death Eater."

Nate bowed his head, biting his lip in excitement. It didn't matter what Dumbledore thought! Harry was alive! Voldemort had no reason to take a corpse along with him. Nor did he believe that Nagini had a particular fetish for human flesh. "Thank you for your time, headmaster," he said, with a hint of respect. "It is rather refreshing to know the truth."

Dumbledore smiled as he waved Nate to the door, "Yes, it is," he said softly. "The truth sets us free."

A feral smile crossed Nate's face at those words. "Yes, it does."

End of Flashback

Nate was roused from his thoughts as the tired half-awake mumbles of his roommates resonated about the once painfully quiet room. With a sad smile, he slowly pulled himself up to a sitting position before opening the curtains.

Bright golden light erupted before him, causing him to hastily cover his eyes. After a few moments of squinting, he managed to dig out his school robes and don them on with little trouble. A small smile crossed his face as he watched one of his mates, a round-faced brunette, tripped over his own two feet and fell headfirst towards the floor.

Nate sighed. 'Nice to know some things never change,' he thought, slightly amused. From the day he'd first met Neville Longbottom, he hadn't known what to expect. After all, the boy had been held back three years, transferred houses, and was usually subject to ridiculous amounts of ridicule.

"Lo' Nev," he said quietly, watching the other boy's head jerk up in surprise. "You alright?"

A bright smile broke across Neville's face as he caught sight of Nate. From the day he was transferred to Hufflepuff, he and Nate had become fast friends. Their friendship, as some would say, was a strange one.

After all, it wasn't everyday the Chosen One became best friends with the Hogwart's Loner.

"Yes," Neville replied awkwardly, flushing a distinct shade of red, before picking himself up from the ground and dusting his robes. "I - I wasn't watching where I was going," he explained uncomfortably.

Nate nodded in understanding. "I know, I know," he said easily, digging under his bed for a pair of socks. "Don't worry bout' it."

The younger boy released a barely audible sigh of relief as he pulled himself to his feet. Even though they've been friends for the past two or so years, Neville couldn't help but fear that Nate would one day desert him like everyone else.

To his grandmother, he was nothing more than a disgrace to his family name. To the Gryffindor house, he was a worthless traitor. To the Slytherins he was but a mockery of pureblood pride, a blemish on their proud linage. They had, bit by bit, turned their backs to him; ignoring him; hating him in silence.

Neville's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

He had never been accepted, never been loved. He was a burden to them - a constant reminder of their failures or their weakness...

"Nev, you're bleeding," said Nate as he dug through his trunk for bandages, before tossing some towards a dazed looking Neville. "Here."

The older boy raised his hand and flinched when it came into contact with his nose. It was broken.

Again.

Apparently when he had tripped and fallen, he'd accidentally slammed his nose a tad too hard on the floor. Neville sighed softly. Great. It was time for another trip to Madam Pomfrey...

"Do you want me to accompany you there?" Nate asked, noting the consternation on his friend's face. After all these years, Madam Pomfrey had apparently grown tired of the clumsy boy's antics. While in Neville's first few years at Hogwarts, she had cheerfully patched him up without fail. However now...she had allowed her superior's opinions to color her perspective; Madam Pomfrey no longer acted as kind or gentle as before.

She was indifferent. Coldly indifferent to the lad.

"I...I" Neville gave Nate a helpless look. "I wouldn't...want to be a burden."

Nate sighed. "You're not, Nev." he said gently. "You're a friend; hell, probably the damnest best mate I've ever had." He grinned lightly. "And besides, I've been waiting for days to visit the ward. Rumors have been floating around about a mysterious patient or something."

Neville's eyes lit up with relief. "A patient?" he queered, happy to change the subject.

"Yes, I overheard the Slytherins talking yesterday in the library..." Nate trailed off, as he was suddenly all the pieces fell together. The Dark Heir disappeared right after the Final Battle. Snape, the Order's spy, had bags under his eyes and had been snappier than usual; hence, he was most likely in charge of brewing potions to keep the Dark Heir immobilized or something. And lastly, he had seen his parents exist the ward with angry tears in their eyes while Dumbledore's held a reserved yet disgusted glint. And then, there were the Slytherins' namely Death Eater children's speculations...

Harry. His brother Harry was there.

He just knew he was.

"I'll tell you about it later, promise," he said suddenly, feeling slightly guilty as Neville's face fell in disappointment. "Your nose is bleeding a lot right now," Nate added hurriedly, while mentally wincing at his excuses. "We need to get you to the hospital wing."

Neville gave him a confused glance but nonetheless followed as Nate all but dragged him down to meet Madam Pomfrey.