Darkened Dawn

Harry blinked dully as he observed the office of Albus Dumbledore. His heart ached, and he wanted to do nothing more than break down and cry. He had lost his godfather, and Harry…Harry was devastated.

However, Harry felt that Sirius would want him to think hard about how he was going to speak to Albus and what he would decide and that meant that Harry needed to review all of Dumbledore's mistakes and his own as well.

Harry thought furiously for the next several minutes; his mind whirling with possibilities and truths. Then, a revelation struck him and rage began to flare within him.

"Damn you Dumbledore and damn your godforsaken order." Harry snarled as soon as he saw his Headmaster emerge from the fireplace.

The two were inside Albus' office. Harry's heart was breaking as he felt the pain of losing the one man whom he had considered a parent. The portraits began to mutter angrily at the impudence of the boy in front of Dumbledore's chair.

Sirius I will avenge you. Harry swore as he glared at the ancient wizard.

"Har-" Dumbledore began to protest.

"I said damn you. I don't want anything to do with you. As soon as I leave I will consider you as much of an enemy as Voldemort. So damn you selfish bastard…" Harry broke off his statement before he spoke again. "Let me go." He ordered.

"Not until I-"

Harry interrupted again, this time drawing his wand; his emerald eyes glowing an unholy fire. He pointed the glowing tip towards his headmaster.

"Give me one reason to kill you. You will open this door now, or I will kill you where you sit." He assured Dumbledore with a chilling whisper.

By this point the portraits were staring and clamoring in shock.

"Shut the hell up you useless paintings!" Harry roared.

Something in Harry had snapped. It wasn't visible, but something had snapped and with it, Harry felt his emotions shifting. He began to feel empty, and all that remained was one thing.

Hate. Bitter, Raging, All Encompassing Hatred that consumed everything it touched. Cold Flames licked at his shattered and frozen heart and his eyes hardened as he lost all trappings of the

foolish notion called 'love'. Love wasn't valuable. Love was weakness. Love was watching those you care about die. Love was watching friends fall to green light. Love was watching

parents fall into veils of death. Mercy was allowing betrayers to escape. Mercy was stunning those who would just get back up and try and kill you again.

"Harry-" Dumbledore protested feebly.

"Reducto!" Harry roared firing the curse at his headmaster.

Dumbledore barely managed to dodge the attack from the student that had once trusted him.

"I once trusted you Albus Dumbledore and I have lost everything because of it. From this day forth we are enemies." Harry snarled, his eyes flickering with emerald fire.

With that Harry turned and cast incendio on the opening to the office. Dumbledore hastily removed the seals, allowing Harry to leave. The old Headmaster thought that Harry merely

needed some time to calm down. How very wrong he was.

Harry's heart had broken, but he no longer cared. He finally understood what Voldemort had meant. There is only power and those too afraid to seek it. To destroy his enemies he'd need

power. He'd have to find a way to surpass Voldemort, and Dumbledore. He'd need a way to pay a true recompense to Umbridge and the Ministry. Oh, yes Fudge…He would pay, and as

Albus Dumbledore said, Death wasn't the worse thing; Harry could attest to that indeed.

The Weasleys are useless. Weasley Senior is an incompetent wizard who plays with rubbish, his wife is a busy body, interfering bitch, Charlie could be useful as could Bill, but Ronald is useless; all

he cares about is chess and quidditch, and Ginny, meh, she might be good cannon fodder. Hermione…She's still mine. But if she realizes that I no longer care what the fools think then I could have

some problems. No matter, I need her. She's essential, and if I play the cards right…Well, She'll side with me, just as she always does, and then…I'll have access to the most powerful mind out

there.

Unconsciously Harry smiled faintly as he thought of Hermione. Then, Harry smirked. He would have his revenge. Dumbledore, the Ministry, and Voldemort alike, all of them…They would die

by his hand. They had killed Sirius, and now…Now Harry would make them feel his pain, his anger and all of his sorrow.* He would exact such a recompense upon their miserable souls that

it would never be forgotten.

However, he had to make sure that the only one he believed he could trust made it. He hastily made his way to the infirmary to meet up with Hermione. When he approached he heard

Severus Snape and the nurse talking in low voices. Curious, Harry stealthily began to listen at the door.

"So she's injured but if she merely is allowed to rest the mudblood will survive?" Snape asked in his silky voice.

Pomphrey made a noise of agreement.

"She'll be fine. However, I'd prefer if you didn't use such derogatory terms in my presence." She growled.

Silkily Snape replied coolly.

"That is something that is irrelevant. You will give this to Granger." He added in a chilling voice.

"I will not, you've always been so hateful towards Mr. Potter that I could practically picture you-" The nurse's voice cut off and Harry barely heard a muffled thud a second afterward.

"Potter, the Headmaster might think you're important but without this mudblood you'll be destroyed in a heartbeat." Snape laughed lightly.

Harry had heard enough. Hermione's too important, her loyalty, brains, and cunning are too vital to lose. Instantly Harry burst into the hospital wing and fired a soundless reducto at Snape's

head.

The reducto missed as Snape dropped out of the way and retaliated with a silent crucio. Harry inelegantly rolled behind a table and began a retaliatory attack. Five stupefies and then Harry

rolled to another location as his barricade was destroyed. Harry managed to dodge several curses and take shelter behind a large metal structure that was used to provide heat to the

hospital wing. As he relied on his new fortification Harry began a new assault of curses, more savage than before; boarding on dark. Then as an evil curse grazed his cheek and he felt

blood flow viciously from the new wound he realized that Snape didn't have any difficulties using dark curses against him.

I suppose I need to fight fire with fire. Harry thought furiously.

The only problem with that idea was that he didn't know any dark spells. However, a reducto to Snape's sneering face might clear off that expression and protect Hermione. With that in

mind Harry began casting a barrage of reductos at Snape. At first, the potions master was able to block them but the sheer number that Harry cast, in consistency forced Snape to retreat,

and left him open to a stunner. Snape apparently didn't pay the stunner that Harry slipped in any attention; so wrapped up in keeping his head from being blown off that any other colors

had meant nothing to the man. Snape slumped behind the bed and Harry rushed over to Hermione, lifted her from the bed and made his way out of the Hospital wing. She whimpered

softly as she was lifted from the bed and Harry made an unconscious soothing noise that helped quell her whimpers.

I merely got lucky. What if he had decided to stop playing around? I could tell he was just toying with me. I guess he wanted to feel good that he could beat me into the ground even if I couldn't be

allowed to remember it…I need power…I need it to get my revenge. I suppose it's a good thing that the stunner had been the hitting curse though. I'd be willing to be that Hogwarts has some kind

of monitoring charm on deaths.

"Dobby!" Harry yelled.

"Hello Master Harry Potter Sir! Hows cans I helps yous?" Dobby asked in an enthused voice as he appeared with a faint pop.

"It's not safe here. Snape tried to kill Hermione. I need to get our trunks and to a safe location, and I need to do it now."

Dobby's eyes widened before fury became more than a little evident in the little elf's countenance.

"Barny candy loving old codger! Hiring evil man who would kill Master Harry Potter Sirs Grangey." Dobby muttered furiously before he looked at Harry.

"I's gets your trunks Master Harry Potter Sir! I's will helps yous get aways safe too!" Dobby added as his enthusiasm returned.

With that the odd elf popped away, and only moments later Harry's and Hermione's trunks were floating beside Harry and Dobby. Crookshanks was peeved at being transported in such

an unruly fashion while Hedwig blinked comically inside of her cage.

"Dobby, you're a life saver." Harry grinned.

Dobby beamed as they made their way through several passages and to the entrance hall.

A few minutes later and Harry and Dobby made their way out of the castle, the security was non existent and Students were only just waking up, they hadn't even begun to make their

way down to the hall to eat breakfast. A few minutes later Harry had reached the gates and asked Dobby to open them. As the gates creaked open Harry heard a voice behind him.

"'Arry, what are yeh doin'?" A deep rumble asked.

Harry flipped around slowly; as to not hurt Hermione, and looked at the colossal figure that now stood on the wet grassy hill that led up to the school.

"I'm leaving." Harry replied as the gate continued to creak open.

"Why?" Hagrid asked bluntly as confusion flickered in his eyes.

"Ask Dumbledore, that old-" Harry broke off savagely.

"Did you know that Snape had just tried to kill Hermione? Did you know that Dumbledore has intentionally and malevolently used me, my parent's, you, and everyone else for that matter?"

Harry asked.

Hagrid blinked in shock at Harry's cold words.

"Snape is a murderer. He proved that to me as he tried to kill Hermione, he used crucio on me. I was lucky I was able to dodge it, yet Dumbledore continues to protect him. See my bloody

cheek? That's courtesy of our revered potions master. To what extent will the headmaster protect such a slimy git? Furthermore, that sphere that broke in the Department of mysteries

that had my name and Voldemort's name on it. It was heard by A.P.W.B.D. Only one man has such initials. Albus. Percival. Wulfuric. Brian. Dumbledore. He knew the prophesy and he knew

that Voldemort wanted it. So, by not telling me Voldemort was able to trick me to the department. If he had merely told me I would have been able to know that it was a trap. Not enough?

Dumbledore's the head of the Wizangamot, and he's got more power than anyone else. It wouldn't have been difficult for him to arrange a mere trial for my godfather, yet…yet he…he

didn't he let my godfather rot, presumably because it was convenient." Harry began his case as he walked away from Hogwarts.

Hagrid kept up with the furious teen, listening and offering what support he could.

"He broke my trust Hagrid. I lost by godfather; the one man I considered a parent just for his 'greater good'. I know that you're indebted to him Hagrid, but I can't and will not work with

him any more. The more I look into my miserable past and the past of the wizarding world the more sins I'm finding in his closet." Harry added.

Hagrid looked dazed at Harry's accusations.

"Blimey, Snape was gonna harm 'Ermione?" Hagrid gaped.

"Not harm. Kill." Harry replied coolly.

Hagrid blinked comically at Harry for a long while before he sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"What is yer plans Harry?" Hagrid asked.

"I have to get Hermione somewhere safe, and away from that murderer. Then I have to help her recover. Let her know what happened, and then I need to decide what to do next." Harry

replied.

"Harry, do yer parents have an ol' 'ome?" Hagrid asked indirectly.

"'Course they did." Harry agreed.

"M'or'n one?"* Hagrid asked, he looked as though he was turning pale.

"I'm certain of it." Harry agreed.

Hagrid's face began to return to it's normal color as they neared Hogsmede.

"'Agrid…" Hermione whispered.

Harry leaned towards Hermione's face.

"…Unbreakable?" She struggled to whisper.

"Did you swear an unbreakable?" Harry translated.

"Blimey, why I wouldn't make an unbreakable anyone but one person Harry." Hagrid answered.

Harry's eyes widened.

"Dumbledore made you swear an unbreakable to never reveal that I had homes." Harry stated flatly.

Hagrid nodded pleasantly.

"So how…?" Harry trailed off in confusion.

"I didn't reveal anythin'. Yeh already knew so it was a done deal. I merely was askin' if yeh knew anythin'." Hagrid's eyes glittered brightly.

"It was dangerous Hagrid." Harry whispered.

Hagrid nodded.

"Yeh're worth it." Hagrid replied seriously.

Harry felt touched at Hagrid's sincere response.

"Thank you."

No! I can't feel anything for him! He'd be the next to go!

The fragments that remained of Harry's heart hardened even more.

"The only question I have about this is pretty simple. Do you know where any of my homes are?" Harry asked.

"Sorry, Harry. I don't." Hagrid admitted with a rumble.

"Would the goblins inform me?"

"Harry, that's a bad idea." Hagrid warned.

"Why?" Harry asked curiously.

"Such requests are seen as a weakness. Yeh need to be proven to be ruddy powerful a'fore they'd not try to steal from yeh."

"So…I could lose my holdings?"

Hagrid merely nodded.

"Then how am I supposed to find my homes?" Harry asked.

"The Goblin's send a report e'ry so of'en. Mainly so they can say "Look how much money we made fer yeh!"" Hagrid replied.

"I haven't been getting them."

"Dumbledore blocked 'em alon wit' all yer fan mail."

Harry blinked before he shook his head.

"Another thing he has to answer for."

If I can't go to the goblins-my money holders to find my holdings, and I don't know where any of my homes are…I'll have to live in the caves. Damn it.

I know where I'll be living for the next few weeks at least, and you won't even have to leave Hogwarts. In fact it might be better if you did that since you can bring supplies to help heal

Hermione." Harry said in a low voice.

They had slipped by hogsmede unnoticed and past the shrieking shack. Eventually Harry led Dobby, whom had been unusually silent and Hagrid to a large cave.

"I know it's not very great but for the moment it's the best option. I can't go to Diagon Alley right now, so I can't even buy a tent." Harry sighed in frustration as he accio'ed some wood

from a nearby source and placed it in a fire pit that Sirius had dug.

It was difficult casting while holding Hermione but he managed.

Sirius…It's ironic that I've been reduced to this level as well…

Hagrid nodded in understanding before he spoke.

"Harry, Once summer begins yeh might be able ter slip inter Diagon Alley. If yeh use yer invisibility cloak yeh could get some gold from yer account." Hagrid added.

A moment later Hagrid looked as though a brilliant thought had struck him.

"I got an idea, but I need some time ter help yeh wit' the livin' problems."

"I'd appreciate that." Harry grinned at the half giant.

Harry cast a muffled incendio at the wood and after the flames crackled cheerfully Harry turned to Dobby.

"I need to get somewhere comfortable for Hermione to rest. Can you help?" Harry asked.

Dobby grinned at Harry and with a "Yes Master Harry Potter Sir!" Dobby cleaned the dirt, grime and muck that stained the floors of the cave, and then a few moments later he conjured a

small mattress with soft white sheets, and a rough militaristic blanket that was very warm.

"Perfect. Thanks Dobby." Harry replied as he put Hermione in the bedding.

He covered her; almost lovingly and a few moments later he turned back to Dobby and Hagrid.

"I don't know what I'd have done if I didn't have your help today. Thank you." Harry smiled at the two of them. I almost feel sorry that I can't actually care for them.

*Okay, so I snuck in a reference to something. Take a guess! ^.^

*Translation: More than one?

Okay, so I'll explain. Harry's now struggling between light and dark. Which side will he choose? Which side will he go to? He's leaning towards the dark but Hagrid and Dobby are acting as anchors as is Hermione (even though she's out of it.).This story came to me as a simple thought. "I want to do a Dark!Harry Story!" Then I remembered (and agreed with) Seel'vor's profile (one of the best authors on the site!) and he stated that Dark Lord Harry was: "Harry becoming the next Dark Lord... possible, in a good AU." With this in mind I needed a solid base to start with and it was pretty simple to choose Sirius' death to act as a catalyst. After losing Cedric, being tortured, mocked, reviled, almost losing Hermione and Ron, and watching Sirius fall behind the veil with mocking laughter playing in their ears. It was then I knew would be the best 'starting point' to watching Harry slip into darkness. It wouldn't be an immediate thing, but as you might have seen his thoughts have become more negative, and cruel. But, he's still struggling with himself. It'll take time for him to fall to darkness, or stay in the light. A huge chunk of the story would need to explore his struggle between the light and Dark.

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