Ladies and gents
Witches and wizards...
Enjoy :)
Chapter 33
Dear Diary,
Something awful is going to happen today.
I don't know why I wrote that. It's crazy. There is No reason for me to be upset and
every reason for me to be happy, but…
But here I am at 5:30 in the morning, awake and scared. I keep telling myself it's
just the O.W.L.S and that I'm all messed up from the lack of sleeping, taking care of my prefect duties and D.A meetings. But that doesn't explain why I feel so scared. So lost.
It reminds me of my days in Grimmauld, I had such a strange feeling. When we turned our Christmas schedule there, I suddenly thought, "if it wasn't Arthur's death none of that happened in the first place, maybe I will go down the common room, I will see Harry already up and waiting for us."
I know. That sounds totally crazy. But even when I saw the empty chair in front of the fireplace, I still felt that way. I ran up to the owlery sometimes or down to the lake. Sometimes, the library seemed so stuffy and unbearable, even for me, the bookworm.
I stand in the hallways sometimes, and I feel that Harry is coming running, holding his broom toward me. It seems like I'm in love with him! Ha! That's funny.
But honestly, I'm so worried about Him, about both of them! I kept talking from time to time to Padfoot, perhaps he heard something or because he is the only one that calms me down. He apologized repeatedly, and we got over how happy that night was. Then the most horrible feeling I've ever felt in my life came over me. I've never felt so utterly and completely lost.
I wanted it. Whatever it was, to continue. I know that I am a selfish person, but I can't help it. He told me that it was a mistake, and he felt miserable. It felt like I'm taking advantage of him.
But when he told me he would wait… my heart literally jumped off its place, hope thrilled me from birth to death.
I've got to see the D.A today, though. We're supposed to meet before classes. The new strategy that Umbridge was taking was far more dangerous than the previous one, perhaps because Harry left. He was the only one that kept standing in her face or because Dumbledore was so busy that we started to question if he was actually the Headmaster. Nevertheless, why am I scared? Am I frightened of them?
Hermione Granger stopped writing. She stared at the last line she had written and then
shook her head, pen hovering over the small book with the blue velvet cover. She slipped through the pages to take a small letter.
She reached forward and looked at the letter once more and reread it, feeling butterflies in her stomach dance.
The words kept dancing in her head, she heard Sirius's deep tone say those words to her. She folded the paper and pulled it to her heart.
"I hid your love for a while in the heart,,
And in the whining of the soul, the secret of my story,
And about people asking about my silence, I still don't,
I answer with silence until my silence becomes clear,"
Hermione felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she read the words to herself. Sirius gave her that letter before she left and asked her not to open it until she arrived at Hogwarts. Then, with a sudden gesture, she lifted her head and threw the pen and book at her trunk, where they bounced off harmlessly and landed on the
upholstered on the inside.
She wanted badly to eat the toast Sirius used to make for breakfast. Hermione was drowned in the dream of dreams about the feeling of his lips. Oh, how she wished eagerly for them to devour hers.
Sirius Black, an ex-Auror, an Animagus, a Marauder, a Godfather, one of the most wanted criminals waiting for justice, could now add another title to his resumè: a Martyr.
It was probably not the perfect ending Sirius would choose for himself. He still wanted to have fun in life, get drunk, be kicked out of the bars, and sleep with women. Wait, let's edit the last one, he should be very selective about that, one woman, yeah, a woman he was waiting for to grow up.
Never mind, back to reality, man!
Lord Voldemort. The first thing Sirius saw was as he opened his eyes. "How do you feel?" A deep and snakey voice interrupted him. Startling him to look up.
Sirius felt the cold iron around his wrists while he was chained, dangling.
"I wouldn't move if I were you," the voice said. Sirius's eyes darted in the direction of it.
Sirius had seen red eyes but never like these ones that were near to the color of blood. Even Eva's red eyes were paler than this one's.
" Sirius Black, blood traitor, the one and only living heir to the noble and the most ancient house of Black. Godfather to Harry Potter, and the pet to Dumbledore, what a pleasant sight?" Voldemort said. He leaned forward and looked into Sirius's eyes. "I hope that my dear soldiers haven't been cruel in their interrogation,"
A voice screamed in Sirius's mind: 'James and Lily's killer!' He defiantly tilted his head and shouted. "You can torture me all you want. I will never tell you anything you wish to know! I'd sooner die than betray Harry!" he managed to get out between breaths.
Voldemort stopped and turned to give Sirius a harsh glare. He walked over to Sirius, stepping right into his personal space. "I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that."
"Playing make-believe now?" Sirius taunted and tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a wheeze.
Voldemort was almost tipped to rip Sirius' heart out right there and then but stopped. Begrudgingly, he controlled himself and instead focused on the greater task at hand.
"Anyone with eyes can see that you love your godson dearly," he began. "But let's be honest here, do you really think he would ever pick you over his…wife?"
Sirius found himself at a loss for words. The heated anger boiling in the pit of his stomach seemed to be bringing him back to life, nevertheless.
"Your godson is nothing like how he was last summer, believe me. At this rate, he'll be back on the path to righteousness in no time."
"You think so low of him," Sirius said tiredly.
Voldemort smirked. "I might not be able to improve your odds, but I can still give you what you deserve. Crucio"
His fingers dug in his palms out of pain, And he couldn't stop the shaking, the sudden terror that filled his bones. His vision flashes white, streaks of red and silver, and suddenly he's 16 again, dragging himself up those stairs while spasms racked his back. He hates it, the fear, the utter crippling terror, knowing he's weak, so damn fragile that he couldn't even hide the tremors.
The pain always catches him off guard no matter how many times Crucio was used on him.
It was burning, ripping, shredding, tearing his skin apart, splintering his bones, and he could feel his heart uttering. He felt like Walburga was alive again, and Crucio'ed him while Regulus listened in fear outside.
Sirius closed his eyes. He knew he couldn't take it. The pain seemed to increase every time the curse was cast again. Knowing that he would die in this room but he didn't care. He shook his head.
"You betrayed us brother!"
"You are no son of mine!"
"If anything happens to me and Lily, Harry is in your hands, take care of him pal,"
"Will you do anything for Harry?"
"Harry loves you Sirius!"
"You're my best mate Pad, I can't lose you again!"
"You are my Godfather Sirius and nothing will change that,"
"Is it wrong to want? To desire?"
"What a tragic past… what a great desire…" Voldemort's cold voice appeared in the back of his mind.
Sirius snapped his eyes widened open and stared at the dark lord, who had an amusing smile on his face.
"You fools thought that I cared about a bloody book!" Voldemort spoke to him in his mind.
Sirius curled in pain down Voldemort's feet.
"You can say goodbye to Potter and all those fools in the that fucking fanclub you call an Order,
Harry saw from the alley the building was in flames, Sirius's was flat on fire.
His legs told him to go in, to check if it was true. "SIRIUS!" Harry yelled, "SIRIUS!"
His breath came in searing gasps. Sirius must be just behind the flames, he, Harry, would pull him back out. But as he moved, Remus grabbed him around the chest, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry —"
"Get him, save him, he's… he can't be… !"
"Get him, save him, he's… he can't be… !"
"It's too late, Harry —" Remus glanced around the whispered, "The Aurors are already there!"
"No,No —" Harry struggled hard and viciously, but Remus would not let go, as his eyes were fixed on the gigantic flames, he cursed the Aurors. How the hell did this even happen? Sirius was supposed to be house arrested in this flat with five Aurors to guard him outside the house. The minister was clear about his orders to keep an eye on Sirius.
"He could've escaped, just like the last time!" Harry smiled with hope at his parent's friend and teacher.
"There's nothing you can do..."
Was Remus fucking with him right now! Harry struggled against his hold even as he repeated again and again, "It's too late, Harry, there's nothing we can do … nothing …" his voice faded as he saw Aurors taking out burned bodies.
"NO!" Harry stared at the building in fury and confusion, his wand aloft, still struggling against Remus.
Remus took that as an opportunity and apparated them back to Grimmauld.
"And we're back at the second floor, which concludes the Tonks Travel Company Tour! We hope you choose to travel with us again soon." Tonks said, lightening the mood.
Tonks had quite a number of stories and "facts" about some rooms and corners that couldn't possibly be true. Daphne couldn't help but laugh at that. In fact, she had been laughing the entire walk with Tonks, primarily due to the woman in question's exaggerated gestures and "fun facts."
Besides all residents of this house, Tonks was friendly with her, during her first night or her secret visit on Christmas, Daphne didn't dare to survey the place.
"Well, I hope you don't charge me," Daphne responded. "I got nothing on me."
Tonks scrunched her nose in fake disapproval. "Cheap! Free labor's illegal, you know. I'll have to make you pay up somehow."
"I wish I had something to offer…" Daphne shoved a hand into her skirt pocket, she suddenly lightened and asked Tonks to wait for a moment while she ran into her room. A few moments later, she came back, holding a black leather dragon scale jacket and offered it to Tonks. "Fairtrade?" She smiled a peace offering smile.
Tonks blinked her eyes, stunned by Daphne's gesture, then burst laughing, "I was just joking, love, Honestly!"
"You're an Auror, you need one more than I do," she handed it to her. "I insist,"
Operation gaining allies is on.
Tonks finally smiled, accepting the jacket. "It'll do."
Tonks was lovely and a funny, clumsy woman that she only met that day but already greatly appreciated her company. It was nice to make a new ally inside this house. That's what Daphne thought.
"Thanks for the tour," she said. "Is there any news from Sirius?"
Tonks's smile faded, "I'm afraid not," she lightened up again, patting Daphne's shoulder, "Don't worry,"
Daphne closed the door and glanced around the room. Should she call it hers? Well, whatever belonged to Harry, it belonged to her anyway.
Her luggage lay unpacked on the floor beneath the window. Bedsheets were fresh, window open, allowing the cool breeze to wind its way through the gap, leaving the room smelling clean. But this did not seize her suffocation and anger, she lied with a huff on it, dropping an arm over her eyes.
"Here is the wine you asked Winky for!" Winky said, serving a glass of fine wine to her mistress. "But Mistress, Winky thinks it is bad to drink,"
When Daphne did not reply, Winky tried again, "Winky did not drink from it at all, Missy!"
"Winky! Mind your own goddamn business!" Before flinching in pain. Her throat was still aching. Sirius was an idiot, okay! After all, she had done to him! He fell foolishly into Voldemort's wicked trap. She worked hard to bring him to justice. She even lowered her boundaries to her brother for him. This was so unbearable. How eagerly she desired to let that foolish animagus taste her legendary left-hand slap.
Godfather, my arse! She cursed.
The open window did not lighten the heavy atmosphere in the room, Daphne now desperately needed to release her anger, if only she could break something.
'wait! You haven't settled yet.' her inner voice said to her, scolding.
She turned to the mirror and glanced at her abused neck. The purple marks were worse than a hickey.
'Here we are, at the starting point again!' Lilith finally decided to show up.
Daphne was startled, Lilith's face formed in the mirror. Bad sign!
"Why are you here?"
Winky turned around, confused, to see her mistress talk to herself in the mirror.
"Outside this room, many people don't trust you and you don't either, I thought you may need some company," Lilith flattered her dark eyelashes.
"I prefer you not,"
"Don't be meany now, I even let you have your own privacy in what do humans call it again? Honeymoon?"
"You never left…" Daphne almost scuffed.
"We both now, I didn't… we are one person eventually,"
As a demon, Lilith is seen to be dark green in color. Fiery quills of an emerald sheen and similar scales adorned her head in place of hair. Lilith's mouth bears sharp fang-like teeth for shredding her victims, and her eyes are smouldering crimson. However, even in her demonic form, Lilith still possessed the seductive qualities and more humanoid appearance.
Daphne's stomach twitched in disgust at the thought of having this creature inside her.
"It must be a heartbreaking, to see those purple bruises on your sweet neck,"
"He didn't mean it," Daphne covered them instantly with her hand.
"That's what we all say at first, slowly, slowly this pain will turn into a pleasure then poof! We are submitting to the man," Lilith's purple lips smirked. "Aw! That must be hard on you! It feels like history is repeating itself again…"
Daphne took a sip of the wine, thinking of the great days she and Harry spent in the cottage that looked like a far-off and old dream.
The attack didn't hurt her as much as it hurt her that everything Lilith said was true.
'It was not his fault!' She told herself. His eyes were red, and he did not recognize her. He seemed to fight his own shadows through her. The struggling for breath beneath him was still fresh. The confusion, battling with fear, was still in her. She dragged in a deep, hitching breath shrugging off that bloody memory.
HE WAS NOT CHRONOS!
"Don't fold the fucking pantalons !" Daphne threw her glass at Winky, causing the tiny elf to shiver and turn pale.
Daphne realized her mistake and frowned, staring at the mirror where Lilith was there a few seconds ago, she bit her lip.
She knelt in front of Winky, who shut her eyes in fear.
"My apologies… I didn't mean to…I never meant it!" She tried, holding the young elf. Winky cried in Daphne's arms. Harry had told her that the previous owners of the elf were abusive, and she hated herself that moment for bringing back the dead memories to Winky's mind.
"If I ever do that again, just jinx me,love…" she chuckled down at her.
"But the mistress was right! It was Winky's mistake, Winky knows that she shouldn't fold them…" Winky started scolding herself. And Daphne sighed.
Daphne's lips curled into a thin line and her eyes saddened. A loud noise startled both girls, coming from downstairs.
"Lord of the seven skies and earth help us!" Daphne prayed.
Harry's eyes were burning, madness drove him to the edge of unconsciousness that he dropped every single treat of respect in him, He yanked Snape in a flash and pushed his back against the next wall.
"WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM!?" He snapped.
"Merlin!" Molly shouted.
"Harry!" Remus and Bill tried to pull him away.
"Let go of me Potter!" He hissed at him, grasping his wand for defense. He tried to push him away, but Harry's strength was more than he had estimated. Besides, what happened between them in Iraq was still fresh in his mind.
"No one fuckin' dare to approach!" Harry snapped at the others. As he pinned Snape harder against the wall. "Lestrange was unconscious, he did not see us, he died without saying anything. I saw that! Make you the only choice. What did ya tell him, WHAT DOES HE FUCKING KNOW ABOUT US?"
"Enough!" Snape pushed him away.
"You fools, he wasn't named the dark lord for nothing, you angered him!"
"SIRIUS IS FUCKING DEAD! DEAD!"
"Stop it both of you!" Remus came between them and pulled Harry away from Snape. "I know it's hard but please, Harry… calm down," Remus tried to reason with him. Harry cursed and looked away, trying to calm his nerves.
Molly was petrified, stunned, she had never seen this side of Harry, and he felt ashamed to show it to the lady he respected dearly.
"Let's say I believe you! Who was the third informer? WHO WAS IT!"
Snape pursed his lips, either he didn't know or was a two-faced man rather than a double agent.
He told him once that he sided with no one but his arse, not Voldemort and not Dumbledore.
"Sam, do you recognize the name?" Harry looked over his shoulder, his heart pumping harder and faster than ever. How long would it take Snape to release the information?
"You two face coward!" Harry snapped and pulled out his wand, "Legililmens!"
"Harry! No!" Remus shouted, too late.
And whatever Harry saw drove Severus Snape to the edge because the hall of Grimmauld place turned into a massive wand duel between a teacher and a student. Plus, Wallburga's screams and Remus shouting, taking away Harry.
"Merlin! What happened here?" McGonagall said.
The transfiguration teacher and Headmaster both stood there.
"Nothing…" Harry muttered as he walked past Snape and the others.
He could feel blood on the tip of his nails. He felt guilty, but he was not ashamed. He shouldn't have used it against Snape, but he did not trust his words. But Sirius… his Godfather!
Harry roamed the house with his mind ready to explode.
"You shouldn't challenge the fates...," A man appeared next to him, tall, long-haired with a beard, dressed in a dirty rag coat, he looks like a skinny Sirius. "You will not escape this path, failing and falling. Does it matter when all paths lead to one,"
"Don't give a damn about choices, don't hold back..."
"May your day for the nation be of sincerity! May your love for earth be lasting," the man sang, laughing.
Those words kept on ringing in his head, stabbing him over and over again. Accepting the fact that his vision was real again! was the hardest thing for him. He almost lost Padfoot. They almost lost any hope of being together… Harry didn't want that, but for now, that's the truth…
In life, you need determination, a goal and a plan. But…
Now all he could do was sit here inside the tapestry room of this house.
Staring at Sirius's burned portrait and then back at Bellatrix's… One of the most loyal followers of Voldemort
Harry didn't know why he just sat there doing nothing, letting the shallows pour on him. He couldn't face Daphne, he had barely given her a look after returning to Grimmauld, guilt and shame eclipsed him. He had almost choked her in his sleep. He almost killed her. And she didn't do anything but lower her guard to him.
Voldemort l got him tonight, and Sirius's abduction made it worse.
"Fuck…" he hissed, punching the wall.
Harry's legs felt so weak, and his mind was rather unfocused. Harry felt useless; he could cope with everything that had happened this far,
But It was Sirius that broke the enthusiastic boy; From an outsider's point of view, it seemed that Harry was only genuinely upset about many things, but no one knew what went inside his head – no one knew that he was primarily upset about.
Harry lowered his head onto his knees, "If only I was stronger, smarter to predict, if only I knew what to do. But it was too late,"
Voldemort, the dark lord, Tom Riddle, had many names.
He was the opposite of light, the crime lord and evil king. The opposite of Dumbledore… the equal.
Perhaps not just in power but also in that rivaled Dumbledore's skilled mind. He was and still is the forbidden name of chaos.
Should he keep it that way?
He still reviewed the memory of the boy fighting against those demons he paused a bit as voldmort thought about his fated enemy, the one that he was supposed to finish years ago, he could finish him in a second, and no one will notice, but no.
Voldemort shrugged off the idea, he had better things to do while he could. Fighting a teenage boy will be the last of his plans.
Voldemort was supposed to feel angry and erase a village of muggles to at least seize his rage. Yet, why him? Why of all people? Is that why the fates told him that Potter was the chosen one.
If he had died that night, would he still have a chance?
Snape's arrival disturbed him, but he cared less.
"I suppose Potter's rage was a scene not to be missed," he said.
"My lord…" Snape wanted to say something but hesitated. Voldemort could si
mply read his mind, but he was rather busy focusing on his new study right now.
"Go on…" Voldemort rolled his eyes.
And Snape narrated the events of Harry's reaction over the kidnapping of Sirius, sure Snape did not mention anything about the fight between him and Harry.
Voldemort stopped in his experiment for a second, stunned nevertheless shocked. Before he burst into a gigantic laugh.
"Don't you still think he's an arrogant boy, just like his father?"
"... He is a fool my lord…"
"Is he? Do not underestimate him my sweet child,"
Snape's brows furrowed at the statement of his lord...
They found him later in Grimmauld place, staring at the family tapestry in the den. For a while, they had watched him, noting the longing and regret in his eyes as he stared at the ground.
"Arry hazn't eaten , I am worrid.." Fleur whispered to Remus.
"A Deja vu! I'm telling ya, he lost it," Tonks shook her head helplessly.
"Talk to him, convince him otherwise…" Remus stared at Tonks.
"Aren't you overthinking? He will come around eventually," Daphne replied, coolly.
Tonks yelped, jumping slightly before turning to look at her. "Holy mother of Merlin!"
And to that response, Remus gave himself a mental slap, she was a real bitch. Remus may not like the blonde witch and blamed her for what happened recently in Iraq, but perhaps she could pull Harry together in these critical times.
"I brought him dinner, this kid is going to be death of me one day!" Molly appeared from downstairs, holding a tray. Daphne blinked, then offered her hand to hold the tray.
"Force him to eat!" Molly huffed. Handing her the tray.
Daphne put down the tray and stared at Harry in melancholy. She glanced toward the door, demanding some privacy,
Harry looked at her silently then back to glooming again! The latter didn't react. Daphne could feel a vein pop in her head, she wanted to grope him from his collar and pull him up.
"Come on, Remus! You must eat too…" Tonks wrapped her arm around his, dragging him away. Their eyes followed quietly the blonde as she stepped out of the room.
"He's just a grooming fool,let him sulk around," she waved off.
"Ya haven't said anything!" Tonks said.
Daphne glanced at Tonks with a smile, "We did, you just didn't hear."
Harry arrived at the entrance of Dumbledore's office. He walked wrapped in his invisibility cloak. As he slipped through the halls earlier and glanced at the Gryffindor tower, his heartbeat quickened with the desire to see his friends and sit between them, laughing and groaning about the essays. It seems now like a distant dream.
"Lemon tart!" He said to the gargoyle statue. Battle of Gargoyle horns, as the king called it, had left a significant impact on him. He was thinking about asking the professor about changing the statue, he had enough of gargoyles.
As It responded by hopping out of the way, allowing Harry to climb the stairs behind it. At the top, he knocked on the door.
"Enter."
The door opened slightly, and Harry entered the circular office. Sitting behind the desk was Albus Dumbledore.
"Welcome, Harry. Do sit down."
Harry removed his cloak, "Professor Dumbledore." Harry greeted back, taking a seat and accepting a cup of tea levitating to him.
"Thank you, dear boy. For joining me today," Professor Dumbledore replied. "Now, I'm sure you have many questions. Perhaps what I am about to tell you will answer some of them."
Harry nodded and waited for the Headmaster to continue.
"I believe you have come first to inform me about you decision,"
Harry bit his lip and nodded nervously.
Dumbledore stared long enough before breaking the ice, "that's very brave of you Harry." He paused, then continued.
"I may believe it's time for me to answer the question that have been irritating you since you have come to know about this world,"
Harry tilted his head, suspicious mixed with confusion, too many questions, most of them, why did he keep seeing Voldemort? Why did Voldemort choose to kill the Potters, personally? Why does he want him?
"It may helps me a lot in my next step professor,the past, The dreams, the visions, the whispers, they are driving me nuts,"
"As you know, the Order of the Phoenix has spent this past year guarding the Department of Mysteries in secret,"
Harry's breath was caught in his throat, he always knew that Arthur died for something, he wanted eagerly to find out, but he was back then, he was tired and had a lot in his pocket.
"You have become an extraordinary Occlumencer, I can no longer hear your thoughts, and a good fighter, anyhow. What the department contained is something Lord Voldemort sought. Something he did not have in the first war."
"It was a weapon, right?" Harry asked.
"Not in the conventional sense. Harry, do you know what a prophecy is?"
"A prediction of the future, right?"
"Close, but a prophecy is much more than just a prediction."
"So the weapon was a prophecy?"
"Indeed. The prophecy Voldemort is after must never know the true contents of it." At Harry's confusion, he cleared his throat. "Oh, my apologies, you probably don't know this. In the Department of Mysteries are thousands of prophecies, contained within magical orbs. They are quite fragile, and are therefore never to be removed from the depths of the Department of Mysteries. Each prophecy is labeled based on the person it was about, and then placed on a pedestal that only the subject of the prophecy can remove it from."
"And that prophecy, it was about Voldemort? What's that have to do with me?"
Dumbledore gazed at him from behind his half-moon spectacles. "It was also about you, Harry."
Harry blinked a few times and almost laughed, he and Voldemort shared some prophecy. He adjusted himself.
Dumbledore was still gazing. "You. The contents of that prophecy foretold a great wizard who would be able to defeat Lord Voldemort. That great wizard was you. "
Harry pulled up his hand, "Hold on! I can understand everything but me? a great wizard! This is probably a mistake," Harry said, standing up. He turned his back, staring at the door, clenching his hands tightly. This means another responsibility!
"But it's true Harry, and being Hecate's descendant is another proof to that,"
Harry gaped, flattering his eyes in disbelief. He made a mistake, perhaps he shouldn't have told the Headmaster. "That's a whole different thing professor,"
"You had United two great dynasties, you led a battle against gargoyles and demons, and you stopped Lilith from getting out of control, you stopped a new civil war, I would be lying if I said I agree with the royals."
Harry pursed his lips, "I had no idea back then,"
"And would you refuse it,"
"Never!"
Dumbledore chuckled and sipped his tea. "Relax, dear boy."
Harry sat again and let out a breath, "and how is that related to my parents death?"
"After the last accident,it was pretty hard for us to keep track and I don't know if Tom has the prophecy now or not, we've been careful but knowing Tom… I hoped for you to go and find the answer yourself about it. The circumstances haven't been kind to us. You remember Professor Trelawney?"
"She's hard to forget." Harry said, and Dumbledore chuckled again.
Dumbledore stood and went to the black cabinet near Fawkes' perch. Opening it, he removed the large, tone basin and carried it back to the desk. Setting the Pensieve down, he raised his wand to his own temple, and withdrew silvery, gossamer-fine strands of memory, and deposited them in the basin.
He prodded the silvery substance with the tip of his wand, and suddenly, a figure rose out of it.
"Professor Trelawney." Harry said, recognizing the woman draped in shawls and beads.
Then she spoke, but not in her usual mystical voice, but in the harsh tones he had heard the night Pettigrew escaped.
"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 hands 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…"
The silence that followed was deafening. Neither Dumbledore nor Harry spoke, and even Fawkes made no noise.
Finally, Harry asked. "What… what did she just said, I can't understand, Professor?"
"It meant," Dumbledore explained. "That the only person who could defeat Voldemort for good would be born at the end of July, nearly sixteen years ago. The child would be born to parents who had defied him three times."
Harry felt strange, and found it difficult to breathe. He shook his head in denial.
"The strangest part. You see, you weren't the only one born at the end of July, whose parents had defied him three times. There was one other child who fit this criteria."
"Neville!"
Dumbledore nodded, assuring.
Harry a moment to think about it for a moment.
"He was born only a day before me. So that means Neville is the wizard, not me!"
Dumbledore shook his head, "that's where the second part of the prophecy lies, the part that decided which of you was destined to fight Voldemort. 'The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal'."
Harry's fingers trembled and instinctively reached for his scar.
"Voldemort chose you instead of Neville, and that scar, both a blessing and a curse, marks you as his enemy, his equal."
"Thi–This is…" said Harry reaching for the chair to support him. He rubbed his face sober.
Dumbledore only squeezed Harry's shoulder for comfort.
"He chose the boy he thought would be a greater danger to him. A boy who, as a half-blood, was more like him than the other. He saw himself in you before he'd ever seen you, and in marking you with that scar, he did not kill you, as intended, but gave you powers, and a future, which have allowed you to escape him not once."
"This is too much…" Harry frowned. "But wait, How did he know about a prophecy that was meant for me to destroy him, if you were present and the first war had already begun by that time?"
Dumbledore said. "Voldemort' information about the prophecy was incomplete. The Hog's Head has long attracted a more interesting clientele, and it is never safe to assume you are not being overheard."
"So he only heard…?"
"He heard only the first part, the part foretelling the birth of a boy in July. Voldemort never knew that there might be danger in attacking you, that it might be wise to wait or to learn more. He did not know that you would have 'power the Dark Lord knows not' -"
"Powers he doesn't have…" Harry muttered between his lips.
Harry closed his eyes, considering what might have happened if he hadn't married and consummated his marriage.
For a long time, neither of them spoke. Harry felt as though time had stopped for him, even though he could faintly hear the sounds of students laughing and joking on the grounds far below the window.
"Thank you Professor," Harry stood up.
"May Merlin's soul watch over you then."
Harry smiled, and watched as Professor Dumbledore stood and made his way to the window. "Ah, I see some students are preparing for a game of Quidditch. A perfect opportunity, don't you think?"
"But sir, I'm not supposed to be see-"
"Right over there." Dumbledore motioned to the armchair. Where Harry's invisibility cloak rested "Off you go, then. Find your friends,"
Harry nodded, Thankfully.
He looked back at Professor Dumbledore and saw the twinkle in his eye had returned. With a wave, he almost ran to the Entrance Hall to find Hermione, Ron and the rest of his friends.
Instead of meeting with his friends Harry quickly makes his way out of Hogwarts gates and pops away. Appearing at the entrance of Grimmauld Place, He quickly enters the house only to run upstairs in a flash. He opened the rooms of Sirius's dead brother, knowing Kreacher would be hiding there as he usually does. He closed the door and locked with his wand, silencing the chamber, then turning to the elf.
"How dare you filthy half-blood enter the Master Regulus chamber!" said Kreacher, twisting his long fingers together.
"I know you hate me and I hate you but I need your help," Harry approached in peace.
"Filthy Half-blood doesn't need Kreacher's help, Kreacher doesn't want to help filthy half-blood."
Harry's lips tightened, he was trying his best to control his anger, he forced a smile.
"Kreacher, don't you want Master Sirius back? Bad people took him away!"
"No trial for Lord Blood traitor Black! Jumped up tainted blood ministers, going against the ancient and noble house of Black," said Kreacher. "No class. Kreacher doesn't want to waste the blood of ancient house Black." He considered.
"You don't want House Black to end, do you Kreacher?" Harry tried to keep himself in bay.
"No! Mistress, Mistress won't be happy!"
"Then I need you to do one thing to save house Black! Save Master Sirius,"
"No! I won't serve filthy half-blood,"
"Don't you want to see Mrs Malfoy?" Harry feigned innocence.
Kreacher turned to him, tempted by the offer.
A loud pop interrupted Narcissa Malfoy evening tea ceremony. She was trying to have a moment of peace away from her lunatic sister and arrogant husband. She frowned when she saw her aunt's old house-elf in her drawing room.
"Kreacher,is that you?" She said in her elegant soft voice, "what are you doing here?" She never thought she'd see him again after her aunt's death.
"Filthy half-blood Potter asked me to give this letter to Mistress. Poor Kreacher has no choice, but to obey. How my Mistress wails that the Ancient and Noble House of Black is now ruled by a half-blood. Poor Mistress," the ugly, ill dressed, house elf grumbled
Narcissa arched her brow, surprised. She glanced to see if the door of the room was closed then back at the elf. Why would Potter want to communicate with her? Is it about Sirius!? She frowned.
"Where is this letter?" though a million thoughts were running in her head.
Kreacher reached under his filthy, ragged pillowcase and handed Narcissa the envelope.
The woman took it and glanced down. It was not fancy handwriting.
"Half-blood told me to tell you that he wants Mistress to deliver it to…" the old house elf, playing with his fingers, staring at the ground and muttering under his lips said.
"To who?" came the confused question.
"To…The Darklord." The elf's eyes widened as he said the name in a quiet voice.
Narcissa flushed, gasped in shock.
Kreacher looked back and reluctantly nodded his head and popped out the room.
Voldemort added a final dash into his new experiment and stepped back to admire his efforts. He shook his head and chuckled softly.
Despite everything that was going on between Dumbledore trying to capture him and Daphne's rebellious streak, Voldemort still found the time to indulge in a simple hobby.
His enjoyment was short-lived once the smell of blood filtered into his senses. He spun around and found Bellatrix knocking on his door before he allowed her in, she sat on a nearby sofa, wiping a rather large blade.
"It appears someone's had a busy day," he remarked.
She shrugged and wiped the last streak of blood away. "I had a little play-date with my doggy cousin,"
"How unfortunate for him," Voldemort snickered.
"I beg you my lord, allow me to finish him!" She bowed at his feet, glaring down.
"You can play with your toy Bella but keep it alive, we still need him,"
Bellatrix's lips spread into a wicked smirk. "Thank you my lord!"
"Our hunt has begun,love…" he caressed her chin.
Lord Voldemort was, despite the myth, he was a man. A man with needs. And here in front of him, she was always ready for him. He walked over to her and looked at her, sizing her up and down. She was wearing her infamous long black gown that had quite a wide neckline. Despite being in prison for almost one and half decade she still looked pretty good not like her pre-incarnation self but not abhorrent too. Her hands and clothes were covered in stains of blood as she wiped off the blood from the blade.
Her eyes widened as she noticed him looking at her violet eyes lit up in anticipation.
"My lord" she whispered with a longing in her voice. He pulled her up, pulling her close; his thin, pale fingers would probably leave bruises. His cold fingers then slid down her neck, her collarbones, down to her - very revealing - neckline.
Unclasping her gown, she let them fall with a thud to the floor. Revealing herself to him. He noticed she had dawned a pair matching black underwear and a pair of simple footwear.
Her long hair didn't hide her scars and what time had done to her. No questions, they weren't needed. He wasted no time and with the swish of his hand the bra was pulled from her body. He paid no mind as she tsked from the sudden pull of the garment. He saw her breasts along with her upper body clearly showing marks of decade long exposure to Azkaban. Her body clearly, not withstanding harsh conditions . How could he tell ? well, Bellatrix was devoted to him long before her marriage to Rudolphus.
His hand ran over her back, the only indication that he was bothered in any way was the small hiss that escaped his lips.
Arms wrapped around her body and his lips pressed against her shoulder. While his one hand quickly pulled on one of her breasts paying no mind to Bellatrix's moan he quickly with another swish of his hand vanished her underwear. He bit on her shoulders as his fingers explored her roughly. It seemed Bellatrix was craving for him as her painful and erotic moans filled the room . Soon he was holding her up as her legs wrapped around him. He avoided kissing, it was his rule, no one dared to come near his face, not even when he was a young handsome man. He was larger than Rodolphus, and definitely lasted longer too. He held her for a moment before thrusting out of her and then back in. Arms wrapped around his neck, she helped him by moving over him. It wouldn't be long before he found some surface to throw her against, but for now it was slow, steady. It wouldn't last.
Bellatrix let out a cry as her back roughly hit the wall, as he fucked her against the wall, the pain lessened, until the only thing she could feel was his throbbing cock moving in and out of her. Her nails found his back,
He kept thrusting, rougher, harder and faster.
Voldemort was using this as a distraction, it didn't work in the end…
Bellatrix's voice was not soft and it was disturbing, he wrapped his fingers around her neck, silencing her by choking her.
Yet his mind was running over something else, he wanted instead of Bella's old body, a younger one, a delicate one…
The one he touched in a dance, the dance of new year's eve… he wanted her so much to be his.
Her icy eyes that could kill if she wanted, he imagined if she wasn't stubborn enough,and joined him. Into the dark, his ways to achieve the endless life would be easier, and conquer the wizarding world…
He stood speechless,voldmort admitted at that moment,as he saw her in Iraq, the image of that demonic appearance was still fresh in his mind.
Yes, he knows how weak his followers were, as soon as Sam, his spy, returned with a defeat followed by Snape and Lestrange, he flew to the field, to watch in person, why they were defeated.
Voldemort admitted to himself, he finally understood why they call them royals…
She was magnificent, a glory in battle. She was a …Titania!
A monster, a true monster in a female's body.
As he saw the battle of the gargoyles from a far, his desire to have her grown more and more.
Bella wasn't Daphne, she was a good and loyal follower but she wasn't Daphne. She wasn't the Princess and the weapon of the wizarding world. But that desire is nothing compared to his rage, anger and envy… Potter took her from him, he stole that piece of art, he took the prize to himself.
When a soft knock disturbed them, Voldemort tossed Bellatrix aside like some discarded cloth and turned to open his door, wandlessly.
"Cissy!" Bellatrix hissed.
Narcissa's eyes widened at the scene before her. Averting her eyes and mind from the acrid scene in front of her. She collected herself and bowed to the half naked darklord paying no attention to her nude sister on the floor .
"A message for you my lord," said Narcissa in a collected voice. Voldemort gave her a sharp and a suspicious stare all but confirmed. She said outwardly, not showing him any anxiety. She stood there, head bowed down as he took the letter without care of his present state.
As he began to read, he could not control his countenance however. He laughed…
Harry James Potter invites him to a duel!
Voldemort laughed hysterically, how much naive the boy could ever be!
"Very well…" he uttered.
The peaceful early morning was broken when loud giggling boomed up as Sirius walked into the living room to almost be run over by a knitted animal.
"Whoa, are they racing again, pup?" Quickly stepping to the side as two more knitted animals ran after the first one, he smiled.
"Siri, up!" The pajama-clad toddler giggled up to him from the floor, stretching his little arms out.
"Up? Up where?" Sirius tried to keep a straight face as he pretended to scan the ceiling.
"Silly Siri, Harry up!" The child giggled, rising to his feet and wobbling over to him.
"You want to go up? Why would I do that when I can get down, too?" Laughing, he sat down on the ground beside Harry, letting the toddler grab onto his shirt as his tiny legs gave out from under him.
Giggling, Harry wrapped his arms around Sirius' neck and placed a sloppy kiss there.
"Oh, so you want a kiss? I can give you one of those," teasing Sirius lifted the toddler into his arms, turning him upside down to blow on his belly button.
Harry cheered loudly, "Hug!" Harry demanded.
"Aye Aye Sir," Sirius smiled as Harry nuzzled his nose into his neck.
Sirius woke up and sobered up. His body was still hung limply from the chains. The dungeon was silent, except for the occasional sound of blood dripping onto the stone beneath him. Even though he was in extreme pain, all he could feel was his self-loathing.
'What a beautiful dream…' he hasn't had pleasant dreams since… he doesn't even remember when was the last time he had one.
Had he not gone after Pettigrew years ago, would it have become a reality? He would not have been in the state he is in now.
How could he have been so stupid to let Voldemort and Bellatrix get away with this?
The only thing that prevented him from driving a stake through his own heart was his family and friends.
He groaned as he heard footsteps heading in his direction. What else did that psychopath
"This is what you consider excellent torture?" Lucius taunted upon seeing Sirius's dangling body.
Bellatrix crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "I'm draining his body in one of the most painful ways possible."
Lucius had to admit that that was a rather impressive task. He stalked over to Sirius, trying his best to keep his head held high and a glare alit in his eyes.
"Let's see how well you did," Lucius murmured. He reached out and tightly gripped Sirius's jaw. Sirius attempted to resist, but he was simply too weak. Once Lucius's pupils dilated, he was lost.
"I think it's time for you to go home," he commanded. A brief look of horror washed over Sirius' face once he realized what Lucius' command entailed.
Before he could protest, the marauder could feel his limbs moving against his own control. Strips of skin peeled backward off his arms as he tugged against the jagged edges clamped around them.
He couldn't help but scream out in absolute pain as deep wounds would heal and then reopen, seemingly with twice as much blood spilling out than the last time.
Lucius laughed and held his hands up. "Alright I think that's enough of a demonstration."
Sirius sucked in a huge gasp of air as he felt his body go limp. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so physically exhausted.
"So what are you going to do to him, oh master torturer?" Bellatrix asked, rolling her eyes.
Sirius found just enough strength to lift his head and watch his cousin's every move. He didn't like where this could be going.
"Long time no see Dickless!" He smirked. "How is My sweet Narcissa faring?"
There was satisfaction in the words of Sirius, if he died at this hour at least, at least satisfied, watching the disappointment on Lucius's face, the shame of Lucius.
It took Lucius a moment or two before he hatched a plan. His eyes were brightened with amusement and curiosity, and a devilish smirk stretched across his lips.
"I think I've found a way to handle one of our many complications and give Sirius here a little compensation for having to spend any entire day with you, dear sister."
Bellatrix was intrigued by what Lucius had been saying until she heard that last part. "Please, Lucius, don't fool yourself. I'm sure he'd prefer a day with me over you."
"Was that supposed to be an insult?" he laughed, nearly forgetting his brilliant plan.
With what little consciousness he had left, Sirius watched the exchange in confusion. He heard a huge explosion wreaking the grounds. Even in the dungeons, it felt like an earthquake.
The Little Hangleton graveyard was the final resting place of the Riddle family of Little Hangleton. The three Riddles, Thomas, Mary, and their lovely, handsome son Tom, all laid to rest in this graveyard shortly after being murdered by him.
Voldemort walked past the statue of his father... Augh, the word itself makes him sick, it was a theatrical gesture coming out of Potter.
Voldemort's old memories flashed in his eyes, like it happened just now.
When he met his uncle years ago, and learnt about his heritage, his rage raced through his body, when he learnt about his mother's idiocy and his father's foolishness. They were miserable people, who deserved their ends.
He transfigured a stone into a comfortable chair and sat, and decided to kill time,reading Daily Prophet in boredom. He put a coffee table with apples, just a little decoration.
Was he that eager to meet up with Potter!?
Fudge covered the entire Sirius Black incident and nothing was mentioned about it. It was good to have such a connection to control the press.
Voldemort felt someone pass his ward and stood until the guest arrived. He stopped but didn't turn around.
Voldemort smirked, "Most people tend for a public duel," he shrugged.
The guest walked further into the graveyard and bent to pick up an apple from the bowl on the coffee table.
"I usually do, but the host is not the usual person to turn me down,"
Voldemort blinked at the voice and turned to face…
Daphne?
He looked her up and down, she was wearing a hoodie jacket and her hair was shorter.
Daphne stood in front of Voldemort again, the sun high in the sky was getting darker, sunset…
There was still some time before the actual meeting time, which meant, She arrived all by herself.
"Is this some kind of joke?" He scuffed, feeling anger in him.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to play hide and seek from me,love?"
"You and I both know that wouldn't have been far enough," she almost smiled,
"Is Potter hiding behind his wife's skirt now, I thought he was a lion," he circled around her.
"I knew that Harry was up to something, I concluded the rest," and Daphne didn't lie, when Harry disappeared upstairs to talk to Kreacher, which was bizzare, Harry was known to have a bad relationship with the elf just like Sirius, the suspension raised, when Harry cornered himself and stayed quiet,it meant he was planning something, his short trip to Hogwarts and then running up to Sirius's late brother's chamber, linked all the pieces together in Daphne's mind and she figured out he was up definitely upto something.
She yanked Kreacher from his throat and pushed him against the wall, Dobby grasped her leg, telling her not to listen to Kreacher's lies but Daphne was in full mood of committing a crime.
"What did Harry ask you to do?" She hit his head with the wall.
"Your Highness blood-traior can't know…" he hissed. Daphne tightened her fingers around his small neck, Dobby pleaded Kreacher to tell her. When he refused she threatened him with destroying Wallburga's belongings.
It worked!
It was a risky but Daphne was gaining her magic slowly, her wounds hadn't fully healed, so the healer banned her from using magic or else, her wounds would reopen again. Daphne had to think carefully on the next step, and she used what little magic she had to locate Voldemort.
She summoned one of the weak shadow Jins to serve and track Voldemort for her.
Which is why she was standing now in front of the dark lord.
"I was having million thought of how we will meet again, dearest one,"
"So, if I had to guess, knowing your history, Sirius is barely alive somewhere."
"It's a magical world, you're a witch. Do a locator spell." Voldemort said simply.
"I can't use magic, Tom. It's punishable," Daphne replied, tone slightly bitter.
"What do you think I'm going to do to you if you don't give me what I want?" Voldemort fired back at her used of his hated muggle name as Daphne smiled. She was no decoy but the original , Voldemort used his wand to remove the glamour from himself. The young features of the handsome Tom Riddle revealed instead of the old snake-faced figure.
"I suppose my blood gave you back what you desired most, but that won't make me forget nevertheless forgive your crime in mesopotamia…"
"Oh honey, that was just the beginning,"
"I can understand your wrath… but Harry is just a boy, leave him out of this,"
Voldemort raised an amused brow, "Wow! and you're just a girl, little one… this has nothing to do with you."
"I vowed to God that I shall not interfere with mortal affairs any longer and I attend to keep my word Tom, I won't be part of any of this war you're attempting to create…," she looked away, the guilt on what was happening to Sirius consumed her, she intervented once and it lead to Sirius's captured, she won't do it again, it was another failure attempt from her side, and humans must solve their own problems.
"And what will benefit me you're little decision,"
"I played my role in this promised history, it was my sign and message,"
"Get away from him! He's mine" Harry walked into the cemetery, wand in his hand. He glared at Daphne as asking 'What are you doing here?' which she reverted with a smile. He then focused his gaze towards Voldemort "Tom! Cherish the breath in your lungs it will be your last"'
To be continued...