.

Balance Factor Chapter 38

Year Six

Horcrux

A/N: Thanks for reviewing!

I would like to remind people that this is how Harry thinks Shirogane sees him. Not how Shirogane actually feels about him.

Apparation was useful.

Harry decided this as he popped in and out of the small hoop. Disregarding the sickly feeling he got each time, it was very useful.

Perhaps he could use it to cross continents when he got his rei form back.

There was a shriek and people whipped around to see Hannah Abbot had splinched herself.

Or, on the other hand, maybe not.

-0-

Harry paused, thinking about how he was going to get a memory from Slughorn. Horcruxes… Dumbledore had been sure Slughorn's memory would tell them something about Voldemort's. The problem now was getting the memory.

Glancing at Akira, who was playing with the tiny Ryuuko by tipping him over and moving him, much to Ryuuko's frustration, Harry was struck with an idea.

"Akira-nii?" He said softly. "Please stop teasing Ryuuko."

"But he's so composed… I want to see him lose it for once," Akira said, looking grumpy. Harry sighed, watching Ryuuko fight against Akira's hold on his arm, swinging his tiny scythe that caused nothing more than a papercut. Ryuuko still had a strained, pleasant look on his face.

"I have a question for you, Akira-nii," Harry said, placing his hand on Ryuuko and picking him up. Ryuuko went limp in his hand, so Harry sat Ryuuko down on his lap, stroking his hair a little. Akira looked a little unhappy at his entertainment being taken away, but seemed to be listening. "I need something important from Professor Slughorn. Will you help me get it?"

Akira paused. "Why me?" He looked a little put out and Harry sighed.

"Because he obviously wants to know more about you," Harry said. "I think it would be good if you came with me."

Akira gave him a look. "I'm not the person to ask for something like that. Why don't you just sweet talk him into giving you that memory?"

"If it was something he needed to cover up as roughly as he did, then he must feel great shame in bringing it up," Harry said calmly. "He will not reveal it easily."

Akira paused and spoke. "True. But you need more than just that. You need a good dose of luck and maybe a couple of threats." He glanced at Harry and saw the gleam in his eyes. "Uh… Harry…? You okay?"

"Luck! A dose of luck! Felix Felicis!"

-0-

Obtaining the memory was laughable at that point. Harry viewed the memory with Dumbledore with great triumph. When Harry resurfaced, he looked slightly alarmed.

"Seven… The bastard split his soul seven times," Harry's voice shook with anger. "No wonder he no longer looks human! His soul has been damaged beyond repair."

"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed. "But… So far, we have managed to destroy two. The Diary and I destroyed the ring. You… I believe, was an accidental Horcrux. Voldemort did not know of your existence."

Harry paused. The diary.

"Professor… I destroyed the diary with Shirogane's weapon. His sword. I cut the diary to pieces and Riddle vanished as a result," Harry said, his eyes settling on a conclusion. "If that's the case… then Shirogane's darkness weapon was able to destroy a Horcrux." He grinned widely as he saw the look of understanding on Dumbledore's face.

"Harry, my boy, I think we've found the solution to our problems," Dumbledore said, almost gleefully.

"The only issue is… since then, I have given it back to Shirogane. However, Ryuuko, as the entity of Light… should be able to do the same thing. Perhaps I will, as well. I do not know," Harry said, frowning a little. "I could ask Shirogane for it back. He tends not to reply to my summons though."

"You can summon your Father, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, surprised. Harry blinked.

"Oh… Yes. Because of the link and I supply power to them, I can request their summoning," Harry said calmly, casually. "Unfortunately, Shirogane ignores the request nine out of ten times."

"Why… would he do that, Harry," Dumbledore asked. Harry scoffed.

"Shirogane is a busy man with a lot of things to do," he said, dismissively. "He has better things to do than to indulge in my summonings." He sat back in his chair and added, "Plus, he doesn't like me very much."

"Your Father doesn't… Like you very much? Harry, I'm sure that's not-"

"He accepts me, Dumbledore. But like me, he does not. I have accepted that long ago," Harry said, cutting across Dumbledore's words, his eyes flashing. "He does not hate me. Indifferent, would be the right word for it." He frowned deeply, not enjoying this subject very much at all. "My existence assists him. It is an existence that benefits him. So he will not get rid of me. That is enough. I bear no hard feelings against him for that."

"But he loves Ryuuko very much. Surely as his and Ryuuko's son… he, by extension, would love you," Dumbledore said, his eyes turning to pity. Harry took a deep breath.

"It does not work that way, Dumbledore. It's never worked that way," Harry said quietly, looking at the pity in Dumbledore's eyes with a measure of confusion. "In his years of knowing me… He has never called me his son. His creation, yes. His Kazuki, sure. An object to claim as his, of course. But never his son. Is it because I have not matured enough, do not know enough, or maybe am too weak? I do not know. Ryuuko has, because that is what I am to him. Ryuuko's love for me is enough. Shirogane does not blandly ignore me. He would be considered the stricter parent." He paused and shook his head a little. "There is no need to look at me like that. I do not need his love. I need his acceptance."

Dumbledore's eyes softened. "But… all this time… Even after all this time… The fact that he does not love you…"

"He protects me," Harry said crossly. "Isn't that enough?! What more do you expect of a man who had lost everything that mattered to him?!" Harry's voice dropped, his head bowed. "Dumbledore… I told you… We are entities. Please… do not think lowly of him. He is not a bad person."

Dumbledore hesitated before saying, "It… wouldn't be wrong of you to cry…"

"Tears… Are not acceptable," Harry countered. "They are a human emotion I do not possess. Humans are below us, Dumbledore. We do not feel the same way you do. We can't afford to. An eternity waits for my kind. If we got attached to every human we met, we would fall into deep despair every century when they died. We cannot afford that. Especially not me, who preserves the balance. The world depends on me." He looked at Dumbledore and took a deep breath. "That is why I call Voldemort foolish for attempting immortality. He does not understand. He never will. He will forevermore be searching for something he cannot find."

"What would that be, Harry?" Dumbledore said, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Companionship, Dumbledore. He will be searching for his equal. And never obtain it," Harry gave a bitter laugh. "That is why he targets me and why he plays this elaborate game with me. Honestly, what's stopping him from killing me right where I stood? Especially in my forth year. He does not have to waste time taunting me, but he does. He did not have to give me a chance to defend myself, but he did. In his soul… his fragmented, fragile soul, he recognizes me as an equal, or perhaps someone of higher caliber than himself. A world that constantly changes while you remain the same is a very lonely world. He seeks immortality now because he does not possess it. If he does possess immortality, he will see that immortality is a curse itself."

"You have immortality, Harry, correct?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded slowly.

"I will continue to have it," Harry said softly. "Death would be merciful. But it does not exist in my world. An endless circle of Darkness and Light…" He gave a small smile. "You don't see it, of course. You don't need to see it. I have seen the creation of magic. Seen what it really means. You've never given a thought when you cast spells. You assume magic is in the air, all around us, available for you to use."

"It is, Harry," Dumbledore said, though his tone was uncertain. Harry laughed, sending a dark chill up Dumbledore's spine.

"If that were the case, then everyone would be able to use magic. Magic would have existed from the very beginning," Harry said. "The first cavemen would have access to magic. But that is not the case. Far from it."

"Harry… will you tell me… the secret to magic?" Dumbledore asked. Harry paused but then nodded to Dumbledore's withered and blackened hand.

"You're going to die, so I suppose it wouldn't make much of a difference. Magic can only be accessed from the soul. And never from your own soul."

Dumbledore froze. Harry continued.

"To create miracles… there must be a force to stabilize it. The only thing powerful enough is other human souls," Harry said calmly, watching the emotions of disbelief and shock flicker on Dumbledore's face. "Granted, when a living being breathes, lives, moves, soul residue is left behind. Wizards and witches can utilize this residue to make miracles happen. The harder the magic, the more residue is required." He paused, a smile coming to his lips. "You are using other people's lives for your own benefit. Souls do not regenerate. When the soul is exhausted enough-usually around a century-then the human dies from 'old age'.. Perhaps, then they move on somewhere, perhaps not. Souls are born when lives are born into this world. That's why… Shirogane, Ryuuko, Kou, and I do not possess souls. We were not born. We were created. Those who were recreated as rei and shin, Akira… and the other Children…"

"No…" Dumbledore whispered. "It's not… true."

"Why do you think it required murder to create a Horcrux?" Harry asked. "Murder is required. Another soul is required to sever your own soul. You can murder without severing your soul. Humans and wizards think remorse is powerful enough to piece your soul together? No. It is the forgiveness of the murdered soul that is required. In anger, the murdered whole soul severs your soul, but in forgiveness, it can replace it back together. I do not have a soul; therefore, the beheading of Macnair did not affect me in any way. Murder it was, but I remain whole."

"Harry…" Dumbledore's blue eyes were wide. But Harry continued.

"Do you think Ryuuko has never killed before. He doesn't enjoy killing, but he has killed many, many times before. Torn apart families and ripped apart couples. He, like I, do not feel the effects of murder. He is still whole and remains whole. He may feel remorse, regret, but the act of murder means nothing to him. He does not have a soul the murdered soul can tear. Shirogane is the same. Resurrection is a pretty tale that only applies to those who matter in this world. Light and Dark. Perhaps not even me."

Dumbledore backed away a step, shock written on his features.

"Do you understand Dumbledore? Do you?" Harry asked softly. "We are the highest form of divine judgment. Those who do not have souls… Rei and shin… cannot feel the effects of murder. We love nothing but our counterparts, though we can form attachments to others. Bonds. That is the extent we care for the human population. Maintaining the balance is our highest priority and if it means that a few hundred humans need to die for it, so be it."

"Harry… You can't seriously… mean this…" Dumbledore said, uncertain. He raised his wand and pointed it at Harry as Harry tilted his head.

"The problem is, humans possess emotions. Emotions are far too volatile. The balance tip with each loss of human is unpredictable," Harry said calmly, looking at the wand pointed straight at him. "So we do not kill unnecessarily. We protect humans from death… unnecessary death." He gave a pleasant smile. "Which is why I will not kill you, Dumbledore, nor will I heal you. You are dying and that's the way it should be. You obviously fell into some sort of trap or deep desire in your heart and are willing to die for it."

Dumbledore lowered his wand slowly, nodding at Harry. "Harry… Kazuki… I won't pretend I like what you're saying… but at least I can understand it. Magic… if this is true… then magic should not exist."

"The first type of your magic… was created as a punishment to torture other humans by draining their souls," Harry said calmly. "The truth has been lost in pretty lies, but we know the truth. Shirogane… Ryuuko… Kazuki… Akira… And the other Kings… we know. Magic we use is born from the Earth. The sky. The Light and the Darkness… It is the purest form of magic. The core I integrated inside my Light allows me to use souls, but when there are no souls around… when I go to the Light Palace, I will be unable to use this magic. And that is perfectly fine with me."

"Harry…" Dumbledore's head dropped and he gave a soft sigh. "I hope you will keep this knowledge and try not to share it with anyone." Harry snorted.

"Of course," Harry said, scowling a little. "It's not like anyone would believe me unless I showed them. I only told you because you asked to know and you were to die anyway. Finding out the truth drives most people mad."

Dumbledore gave a weak smile. "We aren't as powerful as you, Harry."

"About this locket…" Harry said, changing the topic. Dumbledore took it gratefully and jumped on it, not wanting to talk about the origins of magic anymore.

"Yes… I have a feeling I know where it is," Dumbledore said, nodding. Harry's comment died on his lips.

He had just about been ready to tell Dumbledore he had the locket in his extendable pouch. But Dumbledore didn't wait for his explanation to continue.

"I hear that Voldemort's attempted many copies of the locket," Dumbledore said calmly. Harry's protest died on his lips. "But I believe I've found the correct one. You must come with me, Harry. We will collect it and bring it here." He nodded to the cracked ring on the desk and Harry nodded slowly. "And destroy it."

"When will we leave?" Harry asked. Dumbledore gave him a sure look.

"In a week," he said calmly.

-0-

Harry heard Draco crying about failing the mission in the bathroom and stepped in. Several things happened at once.

Draco whipped around, a spell on his lips, but it died upon seeing who it was. Instead, he burst into tears again, running forward, away from Moaning Myrtle and tackled Harry to the ground, crying into his robes. Harry's eyes widened, his mouth opening and closing, but unsure what to say. Snape, hearing the commotion, ran in, a curse also on his lips dying.

"Draco…?"

"I… can't do it! I can't!" Draco whimpered. Harry paused before giving him an awkward head pat.

"You have to," Harry said. Snape's eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms, his mouth set into a thin line.

"But… The students! And how am I supposed to kill Dumbledore?" Draco moaned. Snape's mouth opened in surprise and he was about to berate Draco for telling Harry until he heard Harry's next words.

"He's dying anyway. It's not like you'll make much of a difference," Harry said calmly, trying to soothe Draco. "You'll be finishing him off at that point."

Draco looked up at Harry, his eyes full of tears. Harry sighed and took out a white handkerchief, bordered in red and gently dabbed the other's eyes. There was a small sniffle from Draco and then he took the handkerchief, wiping off his face and marveling at the cool smooth texture.

"There. Feel better?" Harry asked, glancing only briefly at Snape. Snape scowled a little and Draco nodded.

"Yeah… Yeah, I am," Draco said softly, sitting up properly, holding the handkerchief. He offered it back, but Harry shook his head.

"Keep it," he said softly. "It's no great loss to me." He sat up as well, sighing as he saw that his hair was slightly wet from the water. "You shouldn't be here crying about it though. You need to be strong. For your family." He smiled lightly, standing up and offering a hand to Draco.

Draco hesitated, but then took Harry's hand. "Yeah… Yeah… I do. Thanks…" He smiled a little, a weak smile, but a refreshing one.

"In the meantime… I would suggest you get some rest. Wake with a clear mind and walk the path you've chosen," Harry said calmly. "You will be glad you did." He placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and gave him a gentle push. "Be careful."

Snape gave a small noise of disapproval when Draco left, looking at Harry. Harry smiled at him calmly.

"Professor Snape," He said calmly. "I assume you have business with me?"

Snape paused and then nodded. "Come to my office at seven tonight. I will explain a few things to you."

It was seven on the dot when Harry knocked on the door, calmly entering. Snape was sitting behind his desk, a chair pulled up in front of him.

"First," Snape said, closing the door with a wave of his wand. "I'm surprised you're still friends with Draco. He hasn't really talked to you since two years ago."

"First Umbitch and then it was the Dark Lord," Harry said, listing off. "Draco gets the short end of the stick. He asked me for advice about his mission. And yes, I know what his mission was."

"You do not resent him for being ordered to kill Dumbledore?" Snape asked. Harry gave him a bitter smile.

"Why would I? I have not forgotten that Dumbledore did not divulge this information to me earlier when it would have been easier to kill said Dark Lord," Harry said casually. "The Dark Lord may know a vast variety of spells, but in the end, it's always the same. 'Aim the Killing Curse at Potter and hope it hits and actually kills him this time'. Not a very creative way to do it, since it failed the first time and missed every subsequent time."

Snape's lip quirked a little. "Well… there's also the matter of… the Prophecy…" He hesitated. "I am the reason the Dark Lord knew of the Prophecy."

Harry tilted his head. "Might have meant more to me if I was actually Harry Potter. Alright. You're the reason I was stuck with the Dursleys. Kind of hate you for that cause they treated me like a slave boy. Continue though, since it was also the reason Kazuki was able to integrate with Harry Potter's vessel."

Lowering his head on the table, Snape gave a snort of laughter, shaking his head. "You, Potter… Kazuki… whoever you actually are… Are unbelievable. You seriously don't care about these things?"

"These things change nothing. It doesn't change the fact Voldemort wants to kill me or Dumbledore will die… Eventually, if Draco fails in killing him," Harry said calmly.

"I made an unbreakable vow with Draco's mother," Snape said. "In which to kill Dumbledore if Draco does not succeed."

"Problem solved then," Harry said shrugging. "Dumbledore will die, like Voldemort wants. Though Akira will be on the grounds. I believe he's taken a fancy to the house elves and their cooking. He will protect the students from harm. From the Death Eaters. No doubt the Death Eaters know of his presence here. Hopefully, they won't try anything stupid."

"I'm going to be rejoining the Dark Lord when Dumbledore dies," Snape said.

"Okay, keep me updated. You retook the Dark Mark?" Harry asked, looking at Snape. Snape nodded and pulled up his sleeve, revealing the mark. Harry smiled.