When Harry went to the Great Hall for breakfast at six, after Madam Pomfrey examined him and determined he was well enough to leave, Rose left he and Magic. With Voldemort's Horcrux on his mind, Harry wasn't thinking much about any physical intimacy, though the thoughts were vague in the back of his mind. He dished himself some scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon, eating them surprisingly quickly. Next to him, Magic also ate, both eating more than Harry remembered before his lightning strike. He could feel his body taking everything he ate and converting it into raw magic, which probably explained why he hadn't needed to stop by a bathroom yet. Harry felt the magic at work curiously as he ate, enjoyed the warmth and love that the feel of his magic gave him, so intimately close and within his body. Magic was closer to him than anyone could be, in all ways. While the love from others, and the concern from his guardians gave him its own kind of joy, there was something about his magic, and Magic herself, that made other relationships not quite the same. No one knew everything he wanted and needed like she did, exactly as he did, though there was something to a relationship where his needs weren't immediately met as well. It was different, more of a challenge, not quite as easy. Harry thought about how Daphne said she loved him, and as she was a calmer person than Tracey, she reminding him of Magic, he could see himself living the rest of his life with her. Though he found Tracey attractive, it seemed like a more shallow relationship than that which he had with Daphne.
People began to enter the Great Hall as Harry and Magic finished eating. Though Harry hadn't eaten quite as much as he had earlier that morning, he ate more than he had a couple days earlier, which didn't surprise him, as he hadn't eaten anything for breakfast the day before.
"Harry!" The voice of Katie Bell was recognizable as she called to him across the Great Hall, hurrying over to the Gryffindor table.
"Hey, Katie." Harry smiled as she sat down across from him.
"How you doing?" She asked.
"Good." Harry said. "How's everyone else?"
"Everyone's great." She replied. "We had a big party in Gryffindor tower last night because of your spectacular catch. People couldn't stop talking about it."
"Well I hope they don't want me to do that again." Harry said. "Because, my Quidditch playing days are over."
"What?" Katie asked. "You can't stop now, we're right in the middle of the season!"
"I'm not going to play in that kind of weather again." Harry said. "I almost got killed being struck by lightning."
"But you're still alive, everything's fine, what's the problem?" Katie asked earnestly. "Come on, it's all part of the game."
"And having no common sense while playing in dangerous weather?" Harry asked.
"Quidditch has been played in worse." Katie said. "There was one time during the Quidditch World Cup, when they played in the middle of a bit of a blizzard, with cold snow and such. Unusual for that time of year, but not unheard of. They didn't stop it for that."
"And how many people have been killed by lightning strikes while playing in a thunder storm?" Harry asked.
"None that I know of, and you didn't get killed either." Katie responded.
"Well, that's it. I'm done." Harry said.
"Come on!" Katie said. "There's risks in everything! Are you going to run away whenever things get tough, or what?"
Harry sighed, not quite sure how to respond. To his slight surprise, Magic spoke, stating, "If Harry wishes it, I'll play."
"Harry?" Katie asked. "Will you let her?"
"No. I don't want her put in any kind of danger." Harry said, and felt Magic's right arm wrap around him with her usual efficient, emotionless movements.
"Harry wishes me to remain with him. I'll remain with him, and will not play Quidditch. Harry will not play Quidditch. You must find another to be Seeker on the team." Magic stated.
Katie let out a sigh, then after a few moments of silence, said, "I suppose I don't blame you, Harry. If something like that happened to me, I'd probably have misgivings, too."
"Well, glad you understand." Harry said. "Because of Wood's fanatic need for Quidditch, though, I'd be surprised if he took it well."
"Took what well?" Wood asked from behind him.
"I'm out." Harry said, turning to face him.
"Out? What are you talking about?" Wood asked.
"I'm done. No more Quidditch for me." Harry said.
"Oh, come on!" Wood said, grabbing his shoulders. "You caught the Snitch and it was spectacular! Besides, we don't get storms like that very often, it was a fluke!"
"Fluke or not, I've made my decision, and you're not changing my mind about it." Harry said.
"Magic!" Wood said, and Harry heard him grab her shoulders. "You'll be able to play just as good as Harry, right? Will you?"
"I can play better than Harry. I won't." Magic stated.
"Oh, come on!" Wood said.
"Harry wishes me to remain with him. He doesn't wish to play Quidditch or watch the event, and doesn't wish me to be in potential danger by playing Quidditch." Magic responded. "I do as Harry wishes."
"This is just great." Wood stated, sounding angry. Harry heard him storm off, but didn't feel uncomfortable. He only felt calm.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Harry. I'm sure he'll come around." Katie said.
"I'm not worried about it." Harry said, hearing someone sit next to him.
"Hi, Harry." Daphne said. Harry thought she might have sounded a bit awkward. Time to dive right in, he thought.
"Hello, Daphne." He responded, then quietly said so only she could hear, "Is it true that you love me?"
"Um..." Daphne sounded nervous. "Well... Yes."
"Okay." Harry said. "I wanted to check. I'm not really sure how I feel about you, though, since you've told me you love me, I'll tell you that I find you attractive, and more than just physical."
"Is that so?" Daphne asked awkwardly, and Harry imagined she was blushing despite the fact that the two of them were talking quietly enough so they wouldn't be heard by anyone else.
"Yeah." Harry said. "I like how calm you are most of the time. You remind me a lot of Magic..." He trailed off, uncertain quite how to continue.
"Is there, anything else I should know?" Daphne asked uncertainly, though she sounded determined to get the question out of the way.
Harry blushed a little as he remembered the dream he'd had of her earlier that morning. He wasn't sure if there was a good way to tell her about that, or even if he should, though given that she was awkward enough already, he decided not to tell her, though she had asked about his feelings in a way. Maybe she should know, he thought to himself.
Magic leaned over and Harry heard her whisper calmly, "Harry had a wet dream about you..."
"Magic." Harry said as he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back, horrified and deeply embarrassed. "Don't do that."
"You wished her to know your feelings." Magic stated.
"Briefly, Magic, I briefly thought about it." Harry said. "You don't just say things like that!"
An odd grunting sound from Daphne caught his attention and Harry turned toward her, his heart beating quickly. What was the best way to deal with this, Harry wondered. He still felt like he could think clearly despite his overwhelming horror and embarrassment that Magic had simply stated what had happened so brazenly.
"Daphne, I'm really um... I..." Things he could say or do flitted through his mind, but none seemed quite right. To his surprise, Daphne burst out laughing.
"You should have seen your face!" She said as he laughed, then it was Daphne's turn to lean close to Magic and say, "So, did you enjoy it with him, Magic?"
"Not to the same degree as Harry." Magic stated.
"Then what?" Daphne asked as Harry blushed deeper. He gulped.
"Harry wished to know what it would feel like if I gently caressed his face, kissed him while holding his face firmly in my hands, and lifted him in an embrace while arching my back to..." Magic began, and Harry slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her.
"Hey!" Daphne said. Harry, Magic and Daphne had continued to talk quietly throughout their conversation, which Harry was glad for. "It was just getting good, don't stop her now!"
"I don't want to talk about it." Harry said, removing his hand from Magic's mouth. "Okay, Magic? No more. And what happened to you being embarrassed about learning about my dreams, what Magic does with me, anyway?"
"I got over it." Daphne said. "Besides, it's interesting to see you and a willing woman interacting."
"I'm not yet a woman." Magic stated. "My body hasn't fully matured physically."
"Yeah." Daphne said. "Speaking of that, Magic, you and Harry seem to be growing up quicker than everyone else, in terms of physically maturing. What's up with that?"
"Unknown." Magic stated. "One possibility is due to the phoenix, Athis, combining with Harry, accelerating his maturity. This would have similar effects on me."
"Might prove interesting next school year, eh, Harry?" Daphne asked, then as Harry blushed deeply again, said, "Don't worry. I'm not offended you had a dream about me, but if you ever try and do that with me in real life without my permission? You're going to have it."
"I won't." Harry said.
"Good." Daphne replied.
"You... Should know, Daphne, that... If we ever got into a relationship, I'm... Attracted to Magic. And she might be a bit amorous with me." Harry said.
"Not any more amorous than you want her to be." Daphne responded. "Magic and I have had girl talk about this sort of thing. And she's not supposed to tell you about what, either."
"Harry hasn't asked, but I will if he wishes to know." Magic stated, and Harry found himself a bit curious. "Daphne has expressed to me her own attraction to you. She has told me what she's wanted you to do with her if you were in a relationship. She values company over romantic gestures, actions over words and gifts, though she does appreciate such things, and enjoyed your Hogsmeade trip with her, though wished you had held her hand more."
"Magic..." Daphne stammered. Harry grinned.
"Embarrassed, Daphne?" He asked in a chipper voice. "It's only fair, don't you think?"
Daphne let out a short sigh and said, "Never, ever again am I ever, ever getting into these conversations with you."
Harry only chuckled.
"Have you told Daphne anything about me, Magic?" Harry asked. "That, maybe you shouldn't have?"
"I told Daphne that I would do as you wished me to do. When she enquired about any physical attraction you may have for me, and my acting on it, I told her I would do what you wish." Magic stated.
"It wasn't hard to figure out that Magic will go as far as you want her to go, whenever you want her to." Daphne said. "Now, changing the subject, very fast. Getting a new broom, Harry?"
"I've thought about it, but I'm not playing Quidditch again, that's for sure. The lack of common sense people seem to have, unbelievably ridiculous." Harry said.
"I don't blame you." Daphne replied. "After seeing you get struck... You don't know how scary that was for me."
He felt Daphne's hand clutch his wrist, hesitantly reaching out his other hand and patting hers.
"I'm okay." He said.
"I know." Daphne responded, letting go of his wrist slowly as she sighed. "And I'm glad."
"So am I." Harry said. "The... Conversation, it's not going to effect anything between us, will it?"
"No." Daphne said after a few moments. "No, I'm okay with it. Just take me out on more dates, hmm?"
"I'd like that." Harry said, smiling at the thought. "Next Hogsmeade weekend?"
"Deal." Daphne replied.
*** Voldemort POV ***
He was less then spirit, less than the meanest ghost, but he was still alive, and though he forced himself to exist, he continued to think, to consider the enigma that was Harry Potter. Harry, who had a girl with him. She, who helped Potter, she, who defeated him that night so long, long ago, and then helped to defeat him once again when he possessed Quirrell. While he had no body, he had previously settled in the forest, but Harry seemed more powerful than he, far more powerful than Voldemort ever expected him to be. He needed to gather information, and what better place to do so than near one of his Horcruxes, the least risky to obtain, one which he hoped Potter and his girl would find and destroy. And, even if they didn't do so, being near it helped him to remain strong, to keep his strength up. Yes, Voldemort thought fiercely. He would wait, and when the time was right, when the Horcrux had been destroyed, he would use the girl to kill Potter, possess she who had once defeated him, she who helped Potter throughout his first school year. Yes, Voldemort thought. Such poetic justice. He worried not about the single Horcrux that would be destroyed here, if he was correct that Potter would find this place. He had four more. It was far more important to learn of Potter's abilities than it was to keep a single, minor Horcrux safe. After all, Potter and his girl seemed far more powerful than he, even when he'd had a body of his own so long ago. Even in his current state, gathering information was the most important thing he could do. Had he a body, Voldemort would have laughed.
*** Harry POV ***
"Good morning, Harry!" Professor Dumbledore said brightly as Harry walked up to the Professor's table.
"Good morning again, sir." Harry said, grinning. "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Excellent." Professor Dumbledore said. "Then, I do believe it's time for our long overdue chat. The Three Broomsticks, then, Harry?"
"Sure." Harry responded after a moment.
Harry took Professor Dumbledore's arm after he came around the table and moved toward him, and as they walked from the Great Hall and closer to where Magic waited, he grinned, always enjoying moving closer to Magic when she wasn't by his side. After they stepped from the school and headed down the steps, Harry shielded he and Professor Dumbledore against the weather that was continuing its racket outside. They still heard the sound of the wind and rain around them, but neither was effected by it.
"Sir!" Harry called over the loud weather. "I thought we were going somewhere else!"
"Right you are, Harry! However, it is wise to have an alibi, and an agenda for others to know that isn't actually our own!" Professor Dumbledore called back. "Would you not agree that it would be most unwise for others to learn of our mission?"
"I suppose so!" Harry shouted in return.
After they went beyond the gates, into Hogsmeade, and had drawn close to the Three Broomsticks, Professor Dumbledore said, "Magic, take my left arm, and hold tightly to my right, Harry!"
Harry gripped on tightly and prepared for the uncomfortable sensation of apparation. Professor Dumbledore's arm twisted in his grasp. The band squeezed his chest, squeezed his entire body as if he was being forced through a tube. When it ended, Harry gasped, turning his head and hearing the silence around him, noticing the weather was far different here than it had been at Hogwarts. Harry trembled slightly from the sensation of apparation, having never enjoyed it. Magic's hands grasped on to his shoulders from behind and he breathed deeply, finding her physical presence a comforting and grounding one.
"Are you ready to proceed, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, sir." Harry responded.
"Before we walk and approach the house, I wish to impress upon you two most important things." Professor Dumbledore stated. "You are aware, of course, that while your power is great, my own magical knowledge outstrips your own, and therefore, I shall know of potential dangers and threats that you may not."
"Yes, of course." Harry said.
"Then, you will understand me when I tell you that, should I tell you to run, you should immediately do so, perhaps teleport yourself to Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Yes, sir." Harry responded.
"If I tell you to do anything at all, Harry, any action what so ever, you must do it. Have I made myself quite clear, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Harry replied.
"Now." Professor Dumbledore said. "As you are, perhaps, more adept at sensing magic than I, and will be aware of magic before we arrive at our destination, I should wish you to tell me as we approach."
"I can feel magic from here." Harry said. "There's some type of ward. It's powerful, but I don't know what it's for. And there's also something that feels like a twisted shade of a person that's shattered into pieces."
"This is most unexpected." Professor Dumbledore said sharply as he pulled out his wand. Harry felt different types of magic coming from it, powerful and efficient magic that felt different than that which came from any other wand. It was strange, Harry thought, and curiously wondered why Dumbledore's wand was different from any other.
"What is it?" Harry asked after a few seconds of silence passed.
"I should be able to dismantle these wards with relative ease." Professor Dumbledore stated, his voice quite firm. "But it would appear that Voldemort has taken residence here for a reason unknown to me."
"What should I do?" Harry asked.
"I may still need your assistance, Harry, but I don't wish to expose you to any unknown threats. I wish you to remain here until I have dismantled the wards, and when you are able to sense the presence of what we are looking for, I wish you to destroy it without destroying the object within. Can you do that, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore's voice sounded almost eager, Harry thought.
"I should be able to, yes." Harry responded. "But I've never done that before, there could be some problems if I try. It's not like pulling magic from an object, it's a lot different than that, it's pulling part of a sentient being from an object."
"If you believe you can proceed, Harry, then we shall attempt this." Professor Dumbledore said. "Are you ready?"
"Magic, what are the odds we can do this successfully?" Harry asked.
"Sixty-three point four percent." Magic stated.
"Those are far greater odds than I calculated for my own success." Professor Dumbledore said. Yes, Harry thought, there was definitely a note of eagerness in his voice now. "I'm quite confident in your ability to proceed, Harry."
"Wait." Harry said, grabbing his arm before he started to walk. "You know something about this. You said that this morning, you're rather eager now. Why?"
"Such matters do not concern you, Harry." Professor Dumbledore said coolly. "I shall proceed to dismantle the wards, alone. If, at any time I tell you to run, do so. Am I clear?"
"With all due respect, Professor, I might not know something about what you know, and I might not be as experienced as you are, but you're eagerness I think is clouding your objectivity, and I don't want to proceed until you tell me what this is about." Harry said.
"I ask, Harry, that you not pry into my concerns." Professor Dumbledore stated.
"Harry is correct. Your facial expression denotes a lack of objectivity which could be detrimental under the current circumstances. If Harry wishes not to proceed, we won't proceed." Magic stated as Harry heard her stepping to stand in front of Professor Dumbledore.
"My concerns are my own, Magic, Harry." Professor Dumbledore said in a voice that was almost desperate.
"Not when they could get us killed, or worse." Harry stated, his voice firm. He felt rather nervous at confronting Professor Dumbledore, someone far his senior and who possessed a great deal more knowledge than he, but his thinking was still clear, still objective despite his emotions.
Professor Dumbledore sighed as if defeated.
"Clearly, if you wished to stop me, I couldn't stop you from preventing me from carrying out my objective. Nor, I think, could I stop you should you attempt to take the information from my thoughts. Though, given your firm stance on certain issues, I find that possibility unlikely. So, I shall simply tell you a tail, that of three brothers." Professor Dumbledore said.
Harry didn't know exactly what that had to do with anything, but decided it was better to indulge Professor Dumbledore than let him charge foolishly ahead.
"There were once three brothers, whom were traveling a lonely, winding road at twilight." Professor Dumbledore began. "They eventually reached a river which was too deep to wade through, and who's waters moved too rapidly to safely traverse by swimming. The brothers, however, knew the arts of magic, waved their wands, and made a bridge appear. When half way across, a hooded figure, Death, blocked their path. Death was angry that he'd been cheated out of three new victims, as such people crossing this river usually drown. However, he was cunning, and rather than display his anger, he congratulated them on their achievement, telling each that they had earned a pries for evading him. The eldest of the three brothers, who was a combative man, asked for a wand whom none could beat."
"Is that yours?" Harry asked after putting up his hand to stop Professor Dumbledore from speaking. "I noticed the magic coming from your wand is more powerful and more efficient than any I've felt from other wands."
"I wondered if you would notice that." Professor Dumbledore stated. "Most curious indeed. However, you are correct. I possess the wand, which is reputed to be unbeatable in duels. The wand is said to have been fashioned by Death, from the branch of an elder tree, and is known as the elder wand."
"Hmm." Harry said.
"Now, the second brother was arrogant. He wished to humiliate Death, by possessing the power to call those whom have died, back from the dead. Death picked up a stone from the river bank, giving it to the second brother, telling him that he could use it to do that which he wished." Professor Dumbledore continued. "The third brother was the humblest and wisest of the three, and didn't trust Death. He asked for something that would enable him to leave Death's presence without him having the ability to follow. Most unwillingly, Death handed over his own cloak of invisibility, that cloak, which you now possess."
Harry said nothing to this revelation. It wasn't even something he'd suspected before, though now that he thought about it, Harry realized that the cloak, which Dumbledore had told him belonged to his father, seemed to be sustained by magic more powerful than any wizard could possess. Originally, Harry had thought it was a property of invisibility cloaks, that all cloaks were somehow created by a magic that used ambient magic to sustain themselves, and cloak a presence to make it undetectable by any normal means. More evidence of his lack of knowledge, Harry thought, though wasn't bothered by that. Professor Dumbledore continued.
"Death then stood aside after giving each their pries, and the three brothers continued on their way. They did so, talking with wonder of the adventure which they'd had. The brother's soon separated, each headed for his own destination. The first brother traveled for a week or more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard whom he'd had a quarrel with. With the elder wand as his weapon, he didn't fail to win the duel with his enemy, whom he left dead upon the floor. The eldest brother then proceeded to an inn, where he loudly boasted of the wand he'd snatched from Death himself, and told the tail of how it made him invincible. That very night, another wizard crept upon the eldest brother where he lay, having passed out from too much drink. He took the wand and slit his throat, and through such action, Death claimed his first victim."
"Well, I'm glad you're not going around killing anyone." Harry said. "You didn't kill anyone to get the elder wand, did you, Professor?"
"No." Professor Dumbledore replied. "The elder wand need only be gained through disarming of the wizard who wields it, not killing them. Knowing this, I disarmed its last victim, whom still lives."
"That's good." Harry replied. "I don't much like killing."
"So I have heard." Professor Dumbledore stated. "Shall I continue?"
"Yes." Harry said.
"The second brother journeyed to his home." Professor Dumbledore said, and Harry noticed Professor Dumbledore's voice sounded a bit more desperate now. "He lived alone in his residence. He took out the stone which had the power to recall the dead, and turned it three times in his hand. To his amazement and delight, the figure of the girl... Whom he'd loved, appeared..."
Professor Dumbledore sounded almost near tears, Harry realized, and he knew exactly what Professor Dumbledore was planning to do, knew what the Horcrux was.
"It's the stone." Harry said. "Isn't it, sir? You want to use it, don't you?"
"Yes." Professor Dumbledore confessed, his voice trembling. At Harry's wish, Magic stepped forward and put her arms around him.
"Who is it you want to talk with?" Harry asked, and admitted that he himself had a painful longing to speak with his parents. If such a thing was possible, he wanted to speak with them, if only for a moment, see if they were proud of what he'd accomplished in his life.
"My sister." Professor Dumbledore breathed. "Ariana..."
He sounded quite sad, Harry realized, as if he'd done something terrible.
"I must know." Professor Dumbledore said, voice laced with grief. "I must know if she forgives me!"
"Maybe the dead aren't supposed to be spoken with." Harry said, and even through his own longing, realized what a temptation such a stone was. "Maybe the dead should be left alone."
"I only wish to speak with her for a moment." Professor Dumbledore responded in a trembling voice. "Please, Harry, you must let me do this. I must know that she forgives me."
"No." Harry said after a long few seconds, his voice quiet. "I understand your desire. Believe me, I want to speak with my own parents now that I know what's in there. But I also see what it's driven you to do, and I can see how dangerous it is."
Despite his steady voice, Harry blinked tears from his eyes, felt the painful longing within his heart. Had he not been changed by Magic, he probably wouldn't have possessed such objectivity feeling such powerful emotions. A couple tears rolled down his cheeks, and in Magic's hug, Professor Dumbledore let out a choked sob.
"Forgive yourself, Professor." Harry said, his voice cracking a bit as he touched Dumbledore's arm. "For whatever you've done, you need to let it go."
"I can't." Professor Dumbledore stated, his voice almost wild. "Don't you see, Harry? I killed her, and I have to know she forgives me!"
Harry had never before spoken using the notes of the phoenix, but decided to try to do so now. His voice sounded much different as he spoke, made even him feel calmer, more hopeful.
"Whatever you've done, you clearly feel remorse." Harry sang gently. "Let go, Professor."
Professor Dumbledore sobbed bitterly into Magic's shoulder. Harry felt Magic's thoughts as she concluded that, as he'd been comforted by his back being rubbed, she would comfort Professor Dumbledore by rubbing his back as well. Harry hoped it would be enough. The minutes passed as Professor Dumbledore wept bitterly into Magic's shoulder, but gradually, he began to calm down, gathering himself as he pulled away from her.
"Thank you, Harry, Magic." Professor Dumbledore said quietly. "I... I was quite foolish, impulsive. I'm glad I chose not to leave without you."
"So am I." Harry said, feeling sorrow for what Professor Dumbledore must have gone through for many years, from the sound of it. "You needn't tell me, sir, but... Why did you want to speak with Ariana, why did you think you killed her?"
Professor Dumbledore let out a deep sigh, then said, "The situation is somewhat complicated, though, perhaps it will due me good to tell someone. You see, Harry, Ariana was my sister, and at the age of six, was seen using magic. Such a young witch or wizard rarely has control of their accidental magic, so, in that regard, you are quite unusual."
"I suppose so." Harry replied. "What happened?"
"Ariana was seen by some Muggles, who traumatized her. They wanted her to duplicate the trick of magic she'd performed, which, of course, she couldn't do." Professor Dumbledore stated. "The encounter was quite violent, to say the least, and forever prevented Ariana from using her magic properly. The encounter also left her rather unstable, to such a degree that, when my brother, Aberforth was absent and unable to calm her, Ariana accidentally killed our mother. It was something... It, perhaps is something, which I resent Aberforth for to this day."
"That seems unwise." Magic stated. "Aberforth cannot be expected to remain with someone throughout their life."
"True, perhaps." Professor Dumbledore sighed. "But, needless to say, I held resentment. I didn't wish to care for Ariana, to be the head of our family, so I returned to our home bitter and angry. I soon met Gellert Grindelwald, I'm certain you remember him from your history lessons."
"Yeah." Harry said. "He wasn't very nice to Muggles, with his desire to eliminate them or rule them by fear."
"That's quite an understatement, Harry, but, at the time, I believed it would be wiser to make Muggles subservient to witches and wizards for the greater good, and, regrettably, I chose to ignore the history of violence that Gellert possessed." Professor Dumbledore stated. "A duel broke out between myself, Gellert, and Aberforth. In her attempt to stop us, Ariana was killed. To this day, none of us are aware of who killed her."
"But you think you did." Harry said.
"I held that belief." Professor Dumbledore stated, sounding tired. "But, perhaps, it's something I've held on to for far too long."
"Reasonable statement." Magic replied.
"What happened between you and Grindelwald, anyway?" Harry asked.
"We drifted apart, as you can imagine." Professor Dumbledore responded. "I dueled Gellert some years later, who had found the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, and had been using it to terrorize the continent. It was he I disarmed and obtained the Elder Wand from, and he, who resides within Nurmengard prison. Ironically, he built the prison that now holds him."
"Irony, indeed." Harry said. "And, that's it, then?"
"That's it." Professor Dumbledore replied.
"Wow." Harry said, taking a few moments to reflect on what he'd just been told.
"While you've undoubtedly found the history lesson fascinating, Harry, we still have a task which must be performed." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Of course." Harry responded.
"The Horcrux still must be destroyed." Professor Dumbledore added after a few moments.
"I'll come with you." Harry replied. "I've faced Voldemort twice before. Once with Quirrell, once as his Horcrux when I had no magic. Besides, that thing needs to be destroyed."
"Now that we have spoken, I quite agree." Professor Dumbledore stated. "Then, Harry, you may do with the Horcrux as you see fit when we find it."
"Let's go." Harry said as Magic walked around him so she stood behind him, hands firmly grasping his shoulders.
The two of them walked down a path toward the magic Harry felt, the wards that Professor Dumbledore said he could dismantle with ease. Harry also felt them, and thought he could neutralize them using a variant of the binding magic that had bound his magic when he'd been in the magical court in September. Curiously, he felt the magic that came from Professor Dumbledore's wand, which was elegant and efficient, and quite powerful. He felt how it dismantled the wards, how the two magic's interacted. There was more magic than just the wards, though, Harry realized as they continued to approach. Professor Dumbledore was already dealing with the magic that blocked the door, though it felt more like some type of compulsion magic. After Professor Dumbledore neutralized the magic, he turned toward him and said, "Harry?"
"That's it." Harry said. "Until we get in."
The two of them stepped over the threshold, and Harry felt Professor Dumbledore's magic as he got to work again, though he himself was turned toward one of the floorboards, feeling the dark magic of the Horcrux within it. The tether that led from it stopped at the shade of the person in pieces that he could feel, and he said calmly despite his apprehension, "It's confirmed. Voldemort's here. I feel the tether from the Horcrux. It stops at him, and he's not far."
"We must, then, proceed with great caution." Professor Dumbledore said, and Harry felt the last of the magic dispelled from the floorboards.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
"You and Magic first take my arms." Professor Dumbledore stated. "Should anything unexpected occur, or Voldemort come after us, immediately teleport us to Hogwarts."
"Okay." Harry said, taking Professor Dumbledore's right arm, Magic grasping his left. With a thought, he reached out and disintegrated the Horcrux, hearing the horrible shriek of the soul within as it vanished, no longer having an object to keep it anchored to life.
Voldemort acted far quicker than Harry ever expected. Before he could even attempt to teleport, he felt him, shattered and in pieces though he was, and a mere shade of what he'd once been even with Quirrell, slam into something within him. The feeling of his magic within him changed then, twisting and burning, seeming to be melting him from the inside out, but it only lasted for an instant. Harry stumbled, then heard a snap and Professor Dumbledore cry out in agony, before feeling his arm wrenched from his grasp, Professor Dumbledore's body smashing into one of the walls. Harry, frantic, struggled to teleport, but felt that his magic wasn't able to do what he wished, as if its entire focus was on something quite different.
"So, Potter." Magic's voice sounded cold, enraged. "We meet again, but this time, it will be for the last time."
"I won't let you hurt her." Harry stated in cold anger.
Voldemort, using Magic's body, laughed a high, cold laugh that made Harry shiver with fear, but despite his fear, he was still able to think clearly. He remembered what had beat Voldemort the last time, his own physical touch, the magic from his mother's sacrifice. Harry jumped at Magic and wrapped himself around her, grabbed her face in his hands. He felt nothing, though, except Magic's strong hands grabbing him and throwing him from the house so hard, he lay on the ground, dazed.
Harry struggled to move through the pain in the back of his head and in the rest of his body, pain that was quickly fading. Magic's voice was laughing that high, cold laugh again, and as she approached, he realized he could feel Voldemort within her, more cohesive than before, and gaining power quickly. Something was wrong, though, as if Voldemort's presence wasn't able to hold on very well.
"Such a powerful body! Such wondrous magic!" Voldemort shouted in triumph, though Magic's voice sounded as if it was also in pain. Before Harry could act, he felt Magic's hands yank him up and hold him so his feet didn't touch the ground, both of her hands grasping the front of his robe, trembling as she held him, and breathing through gritted teeth in agony.
"Release her." Harry stated calmly. "Or you'll regret it."
"Release her? Release this body? No, Potter, it is I who shall be strong once again, I who shall triumph! And you will not stop me ever again!" Voldemort shouted in a trembling voice that was almost crying from the agony of trying to maintain the possession. Harry realized that Voldemort wouldn't be able to hold on much longer, but didn't know how much longer he could keep controlling her body. He also realized that Voldemort, despite his agony at being within Magic's body, was trying to intimidate him, and he wouldn't let that happen. He needed Magic's help.
'Okay, Magic, come on now.' Harry thought toward his flame of magic.
'Command.' Magic's voice in his mind was so empty and cold that it was like ice. It lacked all that made Magic who she was. Though it was calm and placid, it was like a robot, a machine, something that wasn't alive. He felt a pang of deep sadness, and knew of only one thing he could try. Voldemort was still tainted and impure, even within Magic, but Harry's own soul had been pure, untainted. He recalled touching the light from it briefly, and thought of putting the purity of his soul within Magic's body somehow. Magic, as she always did, even in this state, responded.
Harry felt as if something was taken from him, though only a slight amount of something, perhaps. He still felt like himself despite whatever had been removed from deep within him. Magic's body began to scream in a terrible agony and her hands released him as she wildly stumbled, shrieking in pain. A moment later, Voldemort's presence had left Magic, and Harry felt him going toward where Professor Dumbledore was. He'd never be able to stop him in time, Harry thought, but desperately wanted to prevent Voldemort from possessing Professor Dumbledore somehow. He felt Magic act on his desperation, and felt the shade of Voldemort smash into a barrier that blocked it from getting to Professor Dumbledore's body. Feeling a deep fear but also clear, calm and objective thinking, Harry placed the blocking barrier completely around Voldemort's shade to trap it, hearing a horrible shriek from within it. Quickly, he ran toward Professor Dumbledore with Magic firmly gripping his left arm to help him, then shook him as he sent healing magic into his body, healing him of his injuries and pulling him to his feet.
"Professor!" Harry called over the horrible screaming of Voldemort within the barrier that trapped him. "Professor, should we leave? What should I do!"
"End him." Magic stated with her placid calm. "I can break all tethers that hold Voldemort here. He will then be destroyed."
"No!" The scream of Voldemort shouted, and Harry could feel pressure against the barrier that held him, though it wasn't enough to cause him difficulty in keeping Voldemort contained. He could feel Voldemort's pieces, whatever he was, as he twisted and writhed within the barrier that held him where he was, struggling to escape as a formless mass of almost nothing, something that seemed like a formless, vague cloud of a ghost.
Before Harry could make a decision on what to do, he felt Voldemort's formless form come together and smash a part of the barrier that held him within, though it caused no reaction. Whatever he was seemed to be feeding off the barrier, though, leaching power from it, something Harry hadn't expected, and in doing so, was becoming stronger. Harry pulled with his own magic to pull energy and power from Voldemort, weakening him, dumping the raw magic within himself, but in doing so, the barrier was also growing weaker. Somehow, Voldemort had connected himself to the barrier that held him, though how he'd done so was beyond Harry, and he knew he didn't have enough time to figure it out. With his magic, Harry knew Voldemort could fashion himself a new body, as he'd originally made Magic and her body, and he knew he couldn't allow that to happen at any cost. With a thought, he had Magic grab Professor Dumbledore and teleport them away from Voldemort and directly into Dumbledore's office, leaving a shrieking, furious, formless Voldemort behind, who vowed his revenge on Potter through his screams.