The One That He Will Fear Chapter 6 – Dreadful Knowledge and After, a harry potter fanfic

A/N- Please remember that in this fic there will not be any sort of bashing. If you are expecting Dumbledore or Weasley bashing, this fic is not for you. Dumbledore and Ron may have had made errors in respect of Harry, they were not evil nor were they his enemies.

Chapter 6 – Dreadful Knowledge and Afterlife

Dumbledore sighed, but he had vowed to himself that he will be an aid in this war against Dark Lord, who he knew was not dead and watching Vernon's memories had only confirmed his fears. He therefore decided to come clean to Sirius who will have a large role in development of Harry Potter, who at this point was in a magical coma. He asked Sirius, "How good are your occlumency shields Sirius?" Sirius told Dumbledore that as a Black he was taught to secure his mind, but wondered if Azkaban had damaged anything and asked Dumbledore to check. Once Albus was sure that Sirius could secure his mind from a legilimence he continued, "Sirus, I would also ask you to give me a magical vow that whatever I am going to tell you, you will not discuss this with anyone outside this room including Harry." Sirius wanted to protest not telling Harry, but he gave his vow. A faint light passed between Dumbledore and Sirius and then vanished.

Albus started from the beginning. He said, "Lord Voldemort is afraid of death, and it is not lost to than anyone else. He believes that in event of death he will be left alone for an eternity. Therefore, to stay away from death, he has tried many rituals and eventually he has created Horecruxes. Till those are destroyed he really cannot die." Sirius gasped at this revelation. Whatever he had expected Dumbledore to tell him was not this. Albus continued, "I presume then that you are aware what a horecrux is." Sirius stated, "Blacks too have kept enormous knowledge of dark arts and yes, I have heard of it and I know what it is. But I don't understand what it has to do with Harry?"

The usual twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was replaced with sadness and Sirius could see and feel that Albus had aged in front of his eyes. Dumbledore continued, "There are many ways this concerns Harry. Firstly, Did James ever tell you about the reason why they went into hiding?". Sirius replied, "James only mentioned that they were the targets due to some godforsaken prophecy. Never pushed him for details though. How does this concern Harry though? Oh Merlin! It pertains to him. Doesn't it?"

Dumbledore replied, "In August 1979 I needed a Divination Professor and I was not being successful to find one. I had to go to Hog's Head for interviewing a candidate, who was a daughter of a very famous deceased seer. I reached there and spoke to her and it took me mere seconds to determine that she was a fraud. Hence, I got up and started to leave. I was merely a few tables away when she fell in a trance like state and I knew I was to witness a true prophesy." Looking a question in Sirius' eyes, Dumbledore continued, "Yes, it was Sybill Trelawney, who made this prophesy." Sirius exclaimed, "Merlin's saggy tits! Trelawney made a prophesy that links Harry to Voldemort." He then sobered again and asked Albus, "what did the prophesy say?"

Albus had his wand in his hand and the tip thereof at his temple. With a practiced ease he took out the strand that was his memory of the interview and put it in a stone basin called pensieve near his desk. The memory started to play and Sybill Trelawney in a trance like state started to talk in a deep and mystic voice:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." and then the memory vanished. Sirius Black was in shock after hearing the prophesy. It was clear that Harry will one day have to kill Voldemort when he comes back. He asked Dumbledore, "as per the prophesy it is clear that the chosen one is Harry. And yet you say that Harry cannot be told about it. Could you tell me why?". Dumbledore replied, "Harry is only 5 years old. This is not the time. I know he will want to know. But right now, what he will need is a normal and happy childhood and you can give it to him. I will tell him myself why his parents died and how when he comes to Hogwarts, I promise that I will not fail him again."

Sirius was suddenly alert, "what do you mean you will not fail him again. What happened Albus. Please tell me." Sirius was raged as Dumbledore recounted how he had to leave Harry at the doorstep of Dursley's with just a letter, and how he had been neglected and abused by the muggles. As Dumbledore continued how Harry had almost died and was now in a state of magical coma. By now he was full of anger towards Dumbledore and hatred towards Dursleys. Dumbledore explains that he did not have a choice to leave Harry anywhere else as his godfather had in fit of rage placed himself in Azkaban and his godmother and her husband were tortured by Death Eaters to insanity, and that Dursleys were his only resort as he could best protect Harry with the blood wards around Privet Drive with the protection Lily left in Harry. At this Sirius' anger deflated and he was filled with guilt at not being able to save his friends and leaving behind his godson to wretched muggles as he could not mind his anger. He vowed then and there that he will keep himself in check and will always remain strong for Harry.

Sirius knew that there was more to the story than Dumbledore had explained. He asked Albus, "You told me that you saw the whole thing in the memory from Vernon. Please can you explain what might have happened." Dumbledore sighed again and continued, "As you are aware that Harry's magic tried to save him when the horecrux within his scar tried to possess him. I believe that the horecrux was destroyed completely and Voldemort's magic which contains certain amazing powers that Dark Lord is bestowed with and his knowledge till date when his body was destroyed were absorbed by Harry's magic and now reside within him. Harry had already showcased some of those powers. I was told by Mrs. Figgs who I placed at Privet Drive to keep an eye at the child has told me that once Dursleys had cribbed about Harry letting go a Constrictor Boa at the zoo at loose when they had to take him to a local zoo, which means that he is a Parselmouth. Also she told me when once Dudley's gang tried to get him at school, he had ended up at the terrace of the school. This means that he had apparated and that too at such young age. Lord Voldemort or Tom Riddle was also a student at Hogwarts and was a brilliant student. His extreme knowledge of charms, transfiguration and potions will be an advantage that Harry may enjoy. Tom had also delved too deep into dark arts which I would want Harry to avoid, but that knowledge could also be good for Harry to fight Death Eaters and Voldemort when he is back. Harry shall have some of his own powers that he may need to harness and most of them would not be taught at Hogwarts. So we will need to find most appropriate teachers for him before he goes to school."

Sirius asked, "You said that Poppy could not find anything too big or physically lasting ailment from his ordeal, then why he has not woken up yet?". Dumbledore said, "I have a theory, but it may or may not be true. I believe that when the Horecrux within Harry died, Harry almost died too. He is currently in Afterlife space and I am sure that he will for first time will get to see James and Lily and those who should have been part of his life. He will also be given a choice to come back or stay with his parents and I can say that because he is technically still alive even if in a Coma that no one can explain. I can only pray to whatever deity which is out there, that James and Lily get some time to speak to him and explain certain things as to what and whys of his life. That shall prepare him for an informed decision. Even then I am not sure whether he will chose to return to the life or if he decides stay with his loved ones, as he is just 5 years old after all. Till he makes that choice he will not wake up or die. If he decides that he wants to stay there then he will eventually die. So, we can only wait for him to make the decision."

Meanwhile in the Afterlife

Harry saw the brightest golden-white light he had ever seen and he had to close his eyes as he could not see anymore. Then he heard a shrieking sound that could tear a soul. Harry felt like his nerves were on fire. The pain was unbearable and he wanted it to stop. Slowly the pain lessened and he felt free for first time in his life. He really felt alive and calm but he could not open his eyes or speak still.

When he opened his eyes he suddenly found himself in a vast expanse with no end in sight. He also saw a childlike but mutilated corpse at his feet. He shivered from both fear and cold that seemed to have enveloped him. He saw two figures moving towards him. Their movement was classy and gracious, and they felt have just gliding towards him. He remembered them and a warmth felt his chest and slowly spread across his body. He saw his mother as he had remembered her from his memories and she took his hands in hers and gently embraced him in a hug. Tears were falling from her face but she was smiling at him. His father came next and he too hug him. He felt his own tears flowing down at his cheeks. He shrank in their embrace and the feeling of warmth intensified. Lily and James both spoke, "We love you Harry! And we are sorry that we are not there for you. We know how you have been treated by my hateful and jealous sister. But I want to tell you that all of that is now in past. There is so much to tell you but we do not have much time. Walk with us."

Harry asked, "I love you too mum and Dad, err.. but where are we right now? And how did I reach here. Can I stay with you? I know you love me but I am sure I miss you both." Lily was still holding his hand and said, "Harry, this is afterlife. You reach here when you die." Harry asked her, "does that mean I am dead? And what was it ay my feet? It did not feel human." James raised his hand and Harry visibly flinched at that. James grunted, "Damn muggles! Harry please understand that I or your mother will never hit you. I am aware that Dursleys were the worst kind of muggles but you do not have anything to fear from those who love you. Even if you would do something horrible, we may have shouted at you, we may have grounded you but we would never hurt you." He moved and hugged Harry again. Harry leaned into his father and he could feel love that flowed from James. He calmed down. James continued, "What I meant was that we will answer all your questions and will speak even more, but we have limited time before you need to make your decision so we need to use the time wisely and so please ask the questions which feel most important to you." Harry asked, "what decision do I have to make?" It was Lily who replied this time. She held his hand again and said, "Harry you are not dead and you have to make a choice whether you stay here or go back." Harry said, "Mum, I have found you and dad just now and I do not have to go back." Lily said, "As much I would love to have you here with me and James, I do not want to come here for a very long time. You are very young and you have a long life ahead of you. We want you to have a life and to go to school, have fun, grow up, fall in love, get married and make us proud grandparents someday." Harry blushed deep red on the last comment. Lily continued, "Besides you have to complete many tasks that fate had laid down on your head. But let's sit down somewhere we can talk and then I would like you to meet some people before you go back."

Suddenly they appeared to be what looked to be like the park near Privet Drive. Harry had spent some time away from the Dursleys there and he loved the swing there till Dudley and his gang had broken it. He sat at the swing and it started itself. Lily and James watched him enjoy it. Harry came to them in a while and they together sat down at a bench.

Harry told his parents about his time at Dursleys and how they had treated him. He talked about the cupboard under the stairs, how he was always referred to as a freak, and that till age of three he thought his name was "boy". Lily and James were enraged at Dursleys and Lily would have hexed Petunia so much that she would not be able to sit for life. They reigned their anger and focused on Harry. Harry continued to tell them that he was told many times that James was a useless drunk who had got himself and Lily killed in a car crash but somehow he never believed Vernon. He also told them that how Vernon had hit him when he had done well in his class and embarrassed Dudley as the pampered whale boy could not do well. How he had learnt not to ask questions and show his emotions and how he was given all the chores in the house while Dudley did nothing. Harry told them how he wanted to die and to be with Lily and James. So he had decided that he will not go back. He was openly crying by now.

Lily sat down near Harry's feet so that she was at eye level with him. She put her finger under Harry's chin and told him that she and James loved him too and would want nothing more than to be with him, but as she had told him earlier that she did not want him in afterlife for a long time. She wiped his tears and James also wiped a tear which had leaked down his cheek. He told Harry that it was not true that he was a drunk and that they had died in a car crash. They sat down together again and started to explain things to Harry which no five years old need to hear.

James continued, "First and foremost Harry, I am a wizard and your mother is a witch. We studied at the Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry. What it means is that we can do magic." He moved his hand and a single Red rose appeared in his hand and he gave it to Lily who blushed. Harry was amazed and excited to see that the magic was real. He asked, "does that mean I am a wizard too?". James explained, "No Harry, you are not an ordinary wizard, you are a Mage and a High Mage to that when Voldemort's power got added." "What is a Mage or High Mage dad? Does it mean I cannot do magic like you or mum?" Harry asked. He felt disappointed and then he pouted. James and Lily laughed at his pout. James became serious again, "No Harry, you misunderstood me. What I meant to say is that you are too powerful a magical person. Maybe the most powerful Mage in the history of magic. You are even powerful than Godric Gryffindor and Merlin." Harry exclaimed, "Wow so Merlin is real? I read about him in a book at the library at school and I thought that it was a made up story like Pinocchio whose nose become longer as he lies. It has to be magic and at Dursleys you cannot even talk about it. Thanks for telling me. So does it mean I can do a lot of magic." Lily smiled at her son's innocence. She looked sadly at James as she knew what James will tell Harry next will take the innocence away from the child.

James responded with a smile which did not reach his eyes. He continued, "Secondly, Harry we did not die in a car crash, but were murdered by an evil dark wizard called Lord Voldemort. Before you were born, a prophesy that meant you or son of a friend and your godmother were included therein." "What is a prophesy?" Harry asked. James explained, "There are some people in magical as well as non-magical world who can predict future. They sometimes say things that would come true in future based on certain criteria being met. In our world these people are called seers. Depending on what kind of divination power they hold, they can either outright see the future or can come with words with respect of events and people. One such prophesy was made for a child born at end of July month. It could have been meant to you or your childhood friend Neville Longbottom who is son of your godmother." "What did the prophesy say dad?" asked Harry and who made it? James continued as he was never interrupted, "this prophesy was made by a grandchild of a famous seer to the Headmaster of Hogwarts before you were even born and it says:

Lily picked up from here, "Harry it could have been either of you or Neville, as both James and me as well as Alice and Frank Longbottom (Neville's parents) had somehow defied Voldemort 3 times. We had refused to join him and had escaped him twice thereafter before you were born or the prophesy was made. Neville was born on 30th July 1980 and you were born on 31st July 1980 which makes for end of 7th month. However, here the condition as your father mentioned sets in. To be the one who can vanquish or defeat Voldemort, Dark Lord has to mark him as his equal. Somehow Voldemort chose you and even I felt it would be you when I heard of the prophesy from Headmaster Dumbledore. He marked you with the scar you have at your forehead. It also mentions that you will have a power that Dark Lord doesn't know. I believe its your ability to be loving as Dark Lord doesn't know the power the love holds. The second last means that either of you will have to kill the other. I trust in you Harry that you will be victor in this fight. The last one means that you can not have a meaningful life till he his alive, but I will ask you to live your life to fullest and forget what the prophesy says."

The third aspect of their story was even grim and James did not want to continue, but Lily put a hand at his arm to convey her assent. With a grim and most serious expression on his face James continued, "Harry my love what I am about to tell you is about the darkest of magics. I would rather not tell you as it will take away the innocence you shall have, but your mother thinks you have a right to know. Well, how do I explain this." He looked at Lily for her support. Lily did not waver and she immediately took over from James. She held Harry's hand and started with something that Harry will also need to know. She said, "Harry, when you were young and the prophesy was made and Lord Voldemort had decided to eliminate the only threat to him, You. We went into hiding and stayed there till we were betrayed and killed. Harry dear, do you remember, Siri, Money and Peter?". At this Harry nodded. Lily continued, "when we went into hiding we made our house at Godric's Hollow unplottable, meaning no one would know where we lived unless someone with the secret, called "secret keeper" will tell them. We first wanted to make Siri our secret keeper, but as everyone knew that Sirius and your dad were very close Voldemort may torture him and get to know the secret, so we changed the keeper to Peter. Peter betrayed us and he went to Voldemort to tell where we lived. Voldemort, upon learning our secret place, came to our house and killed your dad and me. I was already afraid of something like this and had done a blood ritual, though illegal tied my life as sacrifice to save yours. Even when Voldemort was willing to let me live, I still died protecting you." By now Harry was openly sobbing and James had silent tears flowing through his cheeks. Then when he tried to kill you, the killing curse due to my ritual and protection rebounded on himself and his body perished, but he did not die. His soul had broken due to our murders and a part thereof tied to you, who was the only living and most powerful entity in the room." Harry asked, "mum wouldn't the killing curse kill him as he did not have your protection? How did he survive?" Lily braced herself and with silent tears rolling down her cheeks she continued, "Harry, Voldemort is one of the most powerful and evil Sorcerer to live in centuries. He had done unspeakable acts to achieve one goal. Immortality. He is not like us Harry, he cannot find in himself to be alone for eternity as he doesn't have any friends but only followers or slaves, he wants to live forever. So he created horecruxes to bind his soul to this world. A horecrux is an object in which a wizard puts a part of his soul and that binds the soul to the world and till that object is destroyed that evil wizard cannot die. Voldemort being most evil created seven horecruxes, including you." Harry felt disgusted, "what? I am a horecrux? Do I have his evil soul in me? I do not want to go back then, atleast one part of his soul will die." Harry was now looking at his feet with shame on his face. Harry kept rambling, but Lily hugged him again and asked him to look at her. She put a finger under his chin again and said, "Harry you did nothing wrong and no you are not a horecrux. Atleast not anymore. When your magic fought to save you, the horecrux tried to possess you, but my love for you which is in your blood and skin and your powerful magic destroyed it. All now left was his magic and knowledge and right now you in the living realm are in a magical coma busy absorbing that power and knowledge. Though Voldemort is evil, he was at his highest power level when he lost his body, you will inherit a great deal of that power from the soul fragment your magic destroyed. Also his knowledge will help you when you will be in school and when you will need to fight him one day as Dark Lord is a very knowledgeable man. His knowledge of dark arts surpasses anyone else. Even though people will think you as a dark wizard, do not fear your knowledge and gain more as you will need to face him one day. I am not happy with this but I would want to see you succeed and live your life so you will need to learn much more. When you go back you will need to tell both Sirius and Dumbledore what you have learnt and what needs to be done." Harry asked them, "so if I am right, it was the part of soul that was in my scar that had been near my feet when I reached here." His parents glowed with pride, "Yes Harry you are an intelligent and smart boy. You correctly assessed this. But I do not want to talk about gloomy subjects anymore. Lets talk about us as a family." So they talked about what Harry had done in muggle school, his accidental magic and then about how Lily grew up and also about marauders. Harry saw the day pass and finally he felt part of the family as he should have been and the loss for his parents he always felt lessened.

Harry had slept with his head in Lily's lap on the bench. James had woken him up gently and told him that they had very less time and soon they needed to meet others who had asked an audience with the young boy from living realm. They walked from the park towards the street and the landscape changed from Privet Drive to medieval era buildings. Harry saw many people who had come to meet him. He was first introduced to his grandparents. Both Lily's parents who were muggles and James's parents, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter were killed by Voldemort before Harry was born and they never had a chance to meet their grandchild. They were pleased by a mannerly child and gave him their blessings and love. Even James grand parents had come to visit Harry, and his great grandfather Charlus Potter told Harry to ask Sirius to take him to his Family vault at Gringotts and look for his journal which he had left for his heir. His great grandmother Dorea Black Potter had been a very loving but a very majestic and stern looking woman who told him to have good life and find love. She told him that she had a seer blood in her family and she had foreseen that his mate will help him achieve much more than he would otherwise and also to defeat Voldemort and he should not push her away. Once they had left, Harry met five unexpected visitors. First was Merlin himself. He told Harry that he has been declared as his Heir and shall have access to his vault when he goes to Gringotts. He also told him to look at his journal and staff which would change for Harry as a ring so that he can do magic as he would not be allowed a wand at his age and would work till he can control his magic as at that point Harry will not need a wand to do magic. At that point the ring will become Merlin's Family ring. He said that he would want to wait to see him back to living realm. Next to meet him was Ignotus Peverell who told him about his family heirlooms (Deathly Hallows) and that he would need to unite them before facing the dark lord.

Next Harry was met by none other than the four founders of Hogwarts. Godric told him that he was already his heir and hence his vault will also be activated when he will be back. He told him about Hogwarts, the myth about his fight with Salazar and his proficiency in various magics including sword fighting and wandless magic which he wanted to pass on to Harry. Harry asked, "I am honoured to receive the gift from my ancestors but my father told me that I do not have much time left here." Godric said, "Rowena had been the greatest witch of our time and a master at spell creation. She had created a spell through which we can pass any knowledge we want to someone. As we understand that right now you are in a magical coma in living realm, and this knowledge will be available to you when you wake up." Salazar was next to meet him. Even though Harry was intimated by the large and strong build of Salazar and what he had heard from his father a day ago, he did not show it. When Salazar spoke to him Harry felt really at ease and he got to know that Salazar was not evil. He had wanted to have separate school for muggleborns so they could be provided knowledge of wizarding world before getting into Hogwarts with the students from wizarding family. They were to have a little longer path but that would have prepared them better for the years to come. He also learnt that Salazar was the master of mind arts and his knowledge of Dark Arts were unmatched. Salazar also told him that he was not happy with Voldemort who had not only gave his family a bad name, but had also corrupted the basilisk who Salazar had kept him at his chamber in school. He requested Harry to heal her mind when he goes to the chamber during his time at Hogwarts, the knowledge of which he will pass on with other areas that he wanted Harry to learn. Next, he was met by Rowena, who had been the Headmistress of the school after death of Godric in a war. She was an expert at arithmancy, ancient runes (which was beyond what was taught at Hogwarts presently and the knowledge of which was lost to the world. Then finally he met Helga who he found to be very motherly. She was an expert on all kind of potions including those who were lost to the world, and she was a master at healing art. The founders as well as Merlin used Rowena's spell to pass on their knowledge to Harry. Harry finally was approached by Death herself and she asked him to make his choice. He looked at his father and mother whose expression was clearly sad but otherwise clearly told him to go to live his life and kick the butt of a Dark Lord and his minions. He told Death that he wanted to go back, but needed a couple of minutes to say goodbyes. He thanked Merlin and founders and his grand parents and ancestor. Then, he finally hugged his parents and with tearful eyes told them that he loved them and they reciprocated in a similar manner. Death finally told him to put his hand to his heart and say, "I Harry James Potter, wish to return to the land of living" and when Harry did so, the waste landscape before him suddenly vanished in a haze.

A/N - Please read and review. I need reviews to keep me motivated. Right now I do not know what you like or dont like about the story.