Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.
Clarification: The reason why Harry's magic has gone haywire and is in chaos is because of the venom and phoenix tears fighting in Harry's magic core. The venom was able to enter because it had been given enough time to do so (nothing stopping it) and the phoenix tears had entered soon after Harry came back, seeking out the venom to destroy it, but once the magic of the venom and tears entered the core, they could no longer 'cancel each other out' due to being in a 'magical zone'. This fight is causing the chaotic magic, and if the potion had not been given to Harry in time, this fight would have torn his core apart, which would have made him go back in the Realm of the Dead with no chance of returning; however, because the potion had been given in time, the magic in the venom and tears is currently being integrated into his magical core, which will take time to adapt and stuff, making chaotic magic result until it has calmed, but even then, his magic has been changed. More on this later. Hope I've explained it well enough...
Oh, and Harry's condition was previously complicated due to being a horcrux, which is why Salandra bit him...
Well, enjoy :) And as always, thanks for the reviews :).
- - - Book 2 — Part 19: Ariana's Message
"Jean Burry will be arriving as soon as she can, Albus," Flitwick said.
"Hmm," Dumbledore hummed, standing by Harry's bed, watching him sleep, or at least that's what it looked like Harry was doing.
Harry could sort of make out the voices from those in the room swirling around him, but he was still on the border between asleep and awake.
Dumbledore and Pomfrey had yet to figure out how to completely reverse what the magic had done to their hair and clothes. Pomfrey had mostly reversed what had happened to her hair; it was just silver now. Dumbledore had settled with simply tying his hair back, deciding any efforts at this time in regrowing his beard would be pointless. The chaos magic would probably just banish it again.
Harry had taken the first dose (drinking the first bottle entirely as instructed) nearly two hours ago, and was due for the two swigs from the second bottle soon.
After drinking what he had, Harry immediately went to sleep, and according to Madam Pomfrey, that was due to his magical core absorbing the potion; however, she warned the next dose would probably not be taken in as well, which was probably why the Custosae (Hagrid and the others giving a quick summary of who they were and that they, excluding Hagrid, were in the Amici) had instructed giving Harry small doses after the first.
Harry had settled into a comfortable sleep, allowing Dumbledore and the others, still in the infirmary, to process a few things that had recently passed, Snape glancing at Hagrid and hiding an amused smirk.
Hagrid, a Custosae, and right under our noses. Ha! Including Dumbledore's nose, Snape thought, before he calmly left. There were things he needed to do for the Custosae.
Hagrid, feeling most of them looking at him, suddenly couldn't help himself.
"Professor Dumbledore, I think a new codename may need ter be in order fer yuh," Hagrid said, no outsiders in the infirmary, Pomfrey currently being an honorary member until things could be finalized.
"I'd rather keep my codename. I have grown quite attached to it, to be honest. As for yours, 'Little John'? Your fellow Custosae certainly have a sense of humor. And though a part of me is surprised by this recent revelation in your Custosae membership, part of me always knew there was a reason why I would trust you with my life."
Hagrid blinked, McGonagall grinning like a Siamese cat behind him at Dumbledore's rather deep admission before growing serious and providing them with some news since it was clear Hagrid had been momentarily struck dumb.
"Lockhart has arrived at St Mungos," McGonagall said. "He is still unresponsive, and they can't detect any magic from him. He's the same level as a squib now, it seems."
Dumbledore had spoken with Draco and the others, gathering the bare summary of what had happened, including the surprising actions of Crabbe and Goyle—Dumbledore having asked what had happened right after the Basilisk had left, wanting and needing to know how they had driven Riddle away, knowing he wouldn't have taken defeat so easily. Well, who would have thought those two had such a spell in their arsenal? Dumbledore decided to learn more about that later.
The lockdown had been lifted, and Dumbledore had had his discussion with the Minister, which first had included what had happened to his beard. The Minister was understandably concerned about the obvious chaotic magic from Harry, but Dumbledore convinced him to allow Harry to stay at Hogwarts, since transporting Harry right now could be disastrous.
Dumbledore had also decided it was best to tell Fudge the truth about everything that had happened, or at least as much as he was certain about, including the fact that Harry had actually been gone. He needed to show how bad it had and could have been, and how close Voldemort had come in carrying out what he had planned. Dumbledore knew the coming war was certain, and that the Minister needed to be told the cold hard truth of it, especially concerning the fact that Voldemort would be back, though Fudge was still hesitant in believing.
Dumbledore was frustrated, knowing he couldn't force Fudge to understand or believe the danger that was there and that was coming, but a part of him wished he could, which was why he agreed to allow him to 'give his thanks and condolences' to Harry before he left for the Ministry later, hoping that seeing 'the-boy-who-lived' would convince him something had to be done.
"How is Ms. Bones doing?" Dumbledore asked, turning from Harry.
It had been decided for Susan Bones to remain at Hogwarts, or at least until her guardian, Madam Bones, said otherwise.
"She has woken up. She is aware and remembers most of what had happened, though I'm not sure that's something to be happy about; however, she is better off than Lockhart. She has trace amounts of magic, so there is some hope her magical core will adapt and grow, rekindling what has been taken, but only time will tell," Pomfrey said.
Harry was now becoming more aware, and he soon realized another person had entered the recently repaired infirmary, though the area around him still had damage, due to the fact they couldn't cast magic too close to him, and that the chaos magic had stirred slightly in his sleep after taking the potion from the Custosae.
In fact, he was about due for that second dose, if he remembered right.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, making sure Harry was aware of him before touching his shoulder, not wanting to surprise him and cause his magic to react.
Harry opened his eyes and looked up at him.
"Time for you to take more of that potion. Come now, you need to sit up, my boy," he said, already sitting down beside him and helping him up, wrapping an arm around Harry's back for support.
Pomfrey handed him the potion.
"Now just relax, your magic may react a little bit. That's it," Dumbledore said, lifting the bottom of the bottle up slightly for Harry to drink.
Harry took two swigs, feeling the odd tingling liquid go into him, only to feel it absorb into his center soon after.
Dumbledore quickly handed the bottle back to Pomfrey as Harry tensed, pushing himself back against Dumbledore's arm and the side of his shoulder.
Everyone close to them backed away, particularly Pomfrey whose hair was still silver, watching in terrified fascination.
"Just think about something else, Harry. Something that makes you feel safe and calm," Dumbledore whispered.
Harry relaxed slightly, his right hand still gripping onto the sheets, his other having found Dumbledore's sleeve as one of his feet dug into the mattress.
The magic came, crackling loudly around Harry, Dumbledore's clothes shimmering, reminding those watching of his eyes.
Harry heard someone gasp loudly, but as long as it wasn't Dumbledore, he forced himself to remain relatively calm as the magic slowly eased up and stopped.
"Good job, it's over, good job," Dumbledore said, patting Harry's back as Harry tried to catch his breath.
"Merlin, was th-that… how?" someone began, a voice Harry vaguely remembered hearing earlier.
"Yes, Cornelius, chaotic magic, being moderately contained," Dumbledore said, easing Harry back on the pillows after he fluffed them so Harry could stay sitting up.
Harry opened his eyes and found Pomfrey, McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, and the man he had briefly seen soon after he had first entered the infirmary.
Dumbledore's robes had changed again, this time green and yellow… with lilies scattered throughout.
The professors did not miss the connection.
The air was still heavy with magic, but it was slowly dispersing.
"Mr. Potter," Cornelius said, taking a hesitant step forward. "Albus has just told me of the events that have resulted in the conditions of yourself and others. Let me be the first to thank you for your actions against the one responsible and stopping the attacks on your fellow peers. It also seems you may have shed some light on something that had taken place a half century ago."
Harry looked at Cornelius for a moment, and it was obvious he was thinking, probably trying to digest what he had heard.
"Wait, Cornelius? As in, Cornelius Fudge?" Harry asked.
"That's right Harry, Cornelius is the Minister of Magic," Dumbledore said.
"The grandson of Filis George Fudge?" Harry asked.
Everyone suddenly looked at him in confusion and bewilderment.
"Yes, I'm his grandson," Fudge said. "But how do you know that?"
"I spoke to him," Harry stated simply, before suddenly realizing how insane that had just sounded.
He froze.
"What? How could you have, dear boy? He's been dead for almost sixty years!" Fudge said, looking concerned for Harry's sanity.
Harry looked around, glancing uncertainly at Dumbledore who looked just as concerned, though not for Harry's sanity but for something else, before finally just letting his eyes come to rest on Fudge.
"Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked, gently prompting.
There was no taking what he had said back now, and he did have a message to give, right? Not only that, they'd think he was losing it even if he did keep his mouth shut.
"Well, you will probably think me crazy, if you don't already, so please just hear me out. Filis Fudge is…or is it was? I'm a little confused about what tense… anyways… he's an elderly gentleman, a little taller than myself, and sort of balding. He has a strong sense of power about him… he sort of reminds me of Mr. Moody, actually," Harry said.
"How do you know that? There's not many pictures of him around, and those were all taken before he got older," Fudge exclaimed, becoming confused and slightly alarmed.
"Please calm yourself, Cornelius, I think I know what is going on," Dumbledore said, not wanting to risk the Minister's magic from probably being bashed by Harry's if he got too riled up.
"What, Albus?"
Dumbledore looked down at Harry, his eyes unreadable before growing extremely solemn.
"Mr. Potter has entered and left the Realm of the Dead," he whispered.
Everyone became deathly quiet after that, and Harry shifted uncomfortably.
"So…" Fudge whispered, his voice sounding like a squeaky little girl's. "You really were…"
Harry looked up at him at that, making Fudge unconsciously stiffen, though in fear or awe, Harry wasn't sure.
"Yes, I was dead," Harry stated, his voice surprisingly steady.
Fudge's eyes widened, clearly not having believed it when Dumbledore had told him earlier, but pondering on it now.
"Do you want me to tell you what your grandfather wanted me to?" Harry asked.
"How can I refuse?" Fudge breathed, a part of him afraid of what he was about to hear, and yet, another part of him wanting to.
He wanted to hear the message from the man he remembered listening to about how he had defeated the terrible dark lord before his parents' time…. He wanted to hear from the man he positively idolized, as a boy and even now.
"He wanted me to remind you of your heritage, who you are descended from, to tell you you have the chance to bring respect and honor to your family name, Minister.
"He told me to remind you he did not hide from or ignore Lord Iarlaith, and he expects you to not hide from Voldemort, but to respond just as he had against Iarlaith. Oh, and he said the whole calling him 'You-Know-who' dashed nickname thing is 'a great mound of hippogriff dung and just as disgraceful'. His words not mine, though I sort of agree with him, sir," Harry admitted.
Fudge blinked, the words 'great mound of hippogriff dung' striking a memory. It was a saying Grandpa Filis always had said. There was no way this could be a coincidence… and Lord Iarlaith… that Dark Lord was barely a chapter in history now, no way a boy who hadn't even completed his second year would know that name and make the connections. And then there was the importance of the family name. Grandpa Filis had always been a very traditional man, wanting to bring and keep the honor of the family name.
There was no disputing it. Harry Potter had met and spoken to his grandfather.
Everyone was now staring at Fudge, seeing his reaction and gathering that at least something Harry had said had struck something within him.
"Did... did he tell you why he wanted me to be told this?" Fudge asked.
"Yes. He wants you to make the right decision," Harry stated. "And, if I may be so bold, he wishes you to 'bring the Fudge name into an age of respect and honor, instead of cowardice…'."
Everyone, other than Fudge and Dumbledore, was gaping at Harry. To speak so bluntly to the Minister?!
"I—you… you have given me much to think about…" Fudge managed, the words Harry had just uttered reminding him of his grandfather again.
'An age of respect and honor, instead of cowardice…'.
"Again, thank you, Mr. Potter. I hope to speak with you again at a later time, but for right now, I have things to attend to at the Ministry."
They watched him all but dash out of the infirmary, the sound of his hurried footsteps reaching their ears long after the infirmary doors had shut behind him.
"I hope he listens," Harry whispered softly as Dumbledore turned his attention to him.
"Professors, Hagrid, please leave us for a moment," Dumbledore stated. "I wish to speak with Harry, and do not think an audience is necessary."
They all started slightly, but didn't argue, quietly leaving the room, pretty sure Dumbledore wished to get the story of what had happened now.
Dumbledore calmly looked at Harry for a moment, not saying anything for several seconds. Harry wondered if he had done something wrong, even though he knew that wasn't the case, he just couldn't think of anything else.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Dumbledore asked finally.
- - -
Ron and the others (the twins and Ginny joining them soon after—McGonagall having gotten them) had been taken to what had been dubbed the second infirmary after Hagrid had come back to tell them what had happened and that they would have to wait to see Harry.
They were understandably upset about that, and Draco was tempted to pop in there, but with the knowledge that Harry's magic was still unbalanced and would be so for some time, they decided to listen to the wise adults.
They were now around Susan's bed, trying to keep one another's thoughts off of what had recently happened, but were failing miserably. The topic of conversation constantly shifted back to the chamber, to what might be happening with Harry now, and to when their parents would arrive.
The professors were in and out, having moved the rest of the student body to the Great Hall while continually running sweeps of the school and ensuring all was secure.
Draco had gone to the lavatory and had instructed Dobby to go to Mr. Weasley and give him a quick summary of what was happening, and to spread the word to all contacts they could reach that Voldemort was on the move and to be watchful and ready (this message supposedly from Ron). He had also told Dobby to tell him they were safe and that Harry was being looked after.
Hermione had then gone to the restroom soon after, contacting Sirius by using Harry's mirror….
"Sirius Black," she said.
The mirror activated, Sirius' face appearing on the glass soon after.
"Harry, wha—" he began, only to realize Harry wasn't the one who had called him.
"Mr. Black, something has happened, and Harry can't talk right now," Hermione began, only to be cut off.
"What's happened? It's being talked about all over, Hogwarts in lockdown? Where's Harry, is he okay?"
Hermione couldn't help herself, her thoughts going back to Harry's lifeless body as her eyes began to tear and her lip began to quaver.
It did not go unnoticed by Sirius.
"Hermione, is he okay?! Where is he?!" he shouted, already moving towards the fireplace, forgetting about the possibility of Hogwarts still being in lockdown (news about it going out of lockdown had not spread yet).
"Yeah," she croaked. "But some stuff has ha—" she hiccupped. "Happened. I think you should come as soon as you can. Hogwarts is no longer in lockdown, but I wouldn't come by floo, don't know if that has been completely lifted yet."
"I'm on my way," he said, ending the connection and rushing to get Lupin before apparating to Hogsmeade.
- - -
Harry paused in his telling, to the part now after the Basilisk had bitten him.
He had made it clear to Dumbledore that the Basilisk knew what she was doing and that her intent was to help him, not to kill him. He said he would explain, and that was where he was now.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I don't know how to continue," Harry muttered.
"Well, take as much time as you need, Harry. There's no rush," Dumbledore said.
"I found myself in a fog and a man called my name. I don't know who he was. Well, I followed him, and then I found myself in a valley… the sky… it was amazing…. And then, I saw a large group of people, but I only recognized my parents…."
Harry paused, calming himself before his magic responded to his emotions.
Dumbledore noticed, feeling the rise of energy around them. It calmed slightly, and Harry continued, but now looked some what guilty.
"I have not been telling you everything, Professor…" Harry said softly.
"Harry, I know you haven't, but I'm not one to press when it is not necessary; however, I would like to be told, now that you are willing," Dumbledore admitted.
Harry took a calming breath, knowing this admission would be good for his soul.
"I don't just have Riddle's memories of that day…. I have them all," Harry stated, part of him wondering why he hadn't told this to Dumbledore sooner.
Dumbledore's eyes darkened slightly, both in sadness for Harry and anger at Voldemort.
It was a captivating sight, and Harry decided it best to be silent.
"I suppose I have suspected that for sometime, but did not wish to acknowledge that possibility," Dumbledore said softly. "It does explain a great deal of things, though."
Harry nodded, taking Dumbledore's fall into silence as his signal to continue.
"My parents answered a lot of questions for me, and explained a lot of things, both about my link with Riddle and how I was able to go back, to what will happen to me now," Harry said.
Dumbledore stayed silent.
"They told me the bond that was made between me and Draco during the summer is what really saved me, and that it did something to the thing that had linked me to Voldemort."
"Had linked?" Dumbledore couldn't help but interrupt, a part of him knowing what it likely was.
"The night Voldemort tried to kill me, he had accidently given me a part of his soul. I was a horcrux."
Hearing it was a lot harder than Dumbledore had thought, but he forced himself to continue listening.
"However, because of the bond that had been made, the horcrux had been broken up into pieces. Voldemort's powers, memories, and soul. When I died, I only lost the part that was his soul, and because I had his soul, it acted as a 'buffer', enabling me the chance to go back while it 'went on', and because of the tie with Draco and the potion, the chance has worked."
Dumbledore nodded, taking all of it in.
"They warned me about the problem I would have with my core. Dad said it would be several weeks, if not longer…" Harry whispered.
"Did they say anything else about it?" Dumbledore asked.
"I can't use a wand until I'm better."
"You will get better, Harry. I will make sure of it," Dumbledore stated.
Harry nodded, not knowing what to say after that obvious promise.
"They-uh… also explained some about Voldemort," Harry began a little awkwardly.
"Oh?"
"He's going to get a body soon. And the reason why he didn't disappear when I destroyed the diary was because the Death Eaters had done something to it in a ceremony sometime during the summer. Barty Crouch Jr. to be exact…" Harry grumbled.
Dumbledore looked grave, but made himself focus on what was before him.
"Harry, I didn't ask about this earlier, but now that we're back on it, where did you get that dagger to destroy the diary? It is not a common weapon someone has, let alone a second year."
Harry blinked.
What the heck should he say?
"Um… someone gave it to me," he stated, wondering if this could be some sort of test. He might have questioned Ron or one of the others, after all.
Dumbledore nodded, clearly forming a theory in his head.
"You knew the diary was a horcrux from your memories, didn't you?" Dumbledore asked, really trying hard to not sound as if he was interrogating him, because he wasn't, not really, he just needed to know.
It was sort of working, Harry could feel Dumbledore genuinely just wanting to know, not make him feel like he was in trouble or something.
"Yes," Harry answered.
"I don't know who gave the dagger to you, Harry, but I am honestly glad they did. I am not going to press you on the matter, because I can assume they are on our side, but if you feel you can share something with me about them, I would appreciate it," Dumbledore said.
Harry looked at his hands.
"They are on our side, sir; I have no doubt about that," Harry stated.
Dumbledore knew that was all he was going to get right now, so decided to move on.
"What else happened in the Realm, Harry?"
Harry really stared hard at his hands now, oblivious to his magic making the bed squeak from sudden strain.
"It's alright, Harry. There's no rush, just relax," Dumbledore said, all too aware of the rise in chaotic magic.
"I met and spoke with some people after my parents…" Harry's voice trailed off.
How was he supposed to give Ariana's message?
"This is when you met the Minister's grandfather?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"Yes, and others…" Harry muttered.
"You have messages for others, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, his voice a mere whisper, matching the volume of Harry's mutter.
Harry nodded, Ariana's words echoing in his ears, as well as his promise he had made to her.
"If you need me to help you find someone or something, I'll help you in everyway I can, Harry," Dumbledore said, still whispering, but not as quietly.
"I have one for you."
Harry wasn't sure how he had formed words to say that, but he had.
Dumbledore didn't move, his blue eyes meeting Harry's green, which were still enclosed by a band of gold, the sickly green fading outside of it; however, streaks of dark green were beginning to surface within the bright green, almost like a star.
After a long pregnant pause, Harry took his mentor's silence as consent to speak.
"I met your father and mother, and your sister…" Harry began.
Dumbledore looked as if he had stopped breathing.
"Ariana is the one who gave me the message, but your parents made it a point to let me know they agreed with the message completely."
Dumbledore was still sitting on the edge of the bed, facing Harry, his robes still yellow and green, covered with small blooming lilies.
Harry continued, knowing if he stopped now, he would never be able to continue.
"I don't know how else to give it to you, so I will give it to you word for word….
" 'Tell my brother we forgave him a long time ago, and that it is time he forgave himself…. Albus will also want to know this: It was not him or Aberforth….' "
Harry stopped, seeing Dumbledore cover his bowed face with one of his hands and give a muffled sob.
Harry sat up more, having known this message was important, but still shocked upon seeing the result. This message had clearly been more important than what he had previously thought.
Harry shifted himself forward, not knowing what else to do, and as he did so, Dumbledore quickly caved and swiftly wrapped his arms gently around him. Harry's much smaller and still weak arms attempted to return the gesture, but, after a few seconds, just came to rest limply at his sides.
He was content to simply be there for Dumbledore as he quietly wept. Wept for his lost family and little sister, in disbelief that they had given this message to be sent — that he had been forgiven — though still fighting with forgiving himself.
Harry just let himself rest against Dumbledore; he was too tired to support himself now anyway, as he remembered that was not all of the message.
"'You all still have tasks to complete and a life to live, but once they have been fulfilled, we shall be waiting. There's no rush,'" Harry quoted, the delivery of the message to Albus now almost complete.
"She also said she wants you to make up with your brother…" Harry whispered. "She said that was what she wanted most."
Dumbledore exhaled a shaky breath before replying just as quietly, "I'll try."
A few minutes passed in near silence.
Dumbledore now had reigned in his emotions, for the most part, and had a hand on the back of Harry's head, his other on Harry's back, so grateful Harry had not stayed within the Realm, but had come back, delivering this message and ensuring hope still existed in the Wizarding World….
It was probably due to the understandably risen emotions and the fact that a decent amount of time had passed, but they both felt the rising chaotic magic; however, for whatever reason, they couldn't have cared less.
Harry tensed slightly, feeling the magic grow thick within him, before he felt it swirl out and around him, the fire of the candles in the infirmary expanding, shifting in colors, until the magic settled, nearly making them snuff out — the magic of Hogwarts being the only reason they didn't.
Harry knew he was due for some more of the potion within the hour as Dumbledore helped him lay back down, his eyes still slightly red from tears after wiping them away.
"I can't thank you enough, Harry," Dumbledore whispered, standing up.
Harry didn't know what to say, so just gave a soft smile.
Dumbledore returned the smile before looking down and brushing his hand against his robes to straighten them.
"Well, one would think you are trying to change my entire appearance. First my robes, then my hair, and now this: Bunny Slippers. Though that may be some fault of my own, outwardly transfiguring my shoes from a pair of soft dragon head slippers, charmed cloth and stuffing, of course. The inside of them are quite cozy. I often wonder why all feet attire do not have similar innards."
Harry sat up a little to look down at Dumbledore's shoes, or rather slippers.
He found blue bunny slippers with purple polka dots, bunny ears and all, including a purple, fluffy, bunny tail on the back of each.
"I think I'll keep these as they are though," Dumbledore muttered, turning his foot slightly to look at the side. "Not everyday you get custom slippers made from chaotic magic."
Harry gave a soft and tired laugh as someone suddenly gave a barely restrained, heavy knock on the doors of the infirmary.
- - -
Next Part: Rules of Chaos
Note: I just changed/edited the amount of years Filius Fudge has been dead, after some thought, it dawned on me that this would make more sense.
