The Lightning's Vengeance
Chapter 1:
The Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was filled with an air of anticipation. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, sat at the Gryffindor table, his heart heavy with grief. The Battle of Hogwarts had taken a toll on him, but nothing compared to the devastating loss he had suffered. Hermione Granger, his loyal friend and confidante, had fallen victim to the dark forces that had plagued their world.
As the students chattered excitedly, Harry's eyes narrowed, fixated on the headmaster's seat. Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful wizard who had guided him through countless trials, now seemed like a stranger. How could he have allowed Hermione to die? The question burned in Harry's mind, fueling a rage he had never experienced before.
Days turned into weeks, and the anger within Harry grew like a tempest. He couldn't bear the thought of Dumbledore's betrayal any longer. The once-trusted mentor had failed him, and Harry knew he had to take matters into his own hands.
Late one stormy night, lightning crackled across the sky, mirroring the turmoil within Harry's soul. He stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, his wand clenched tightly in his hand. Rain poured down, drenching him to the bone, but he paid no heed. The time for action had come.
Harry's heart pounded as he made his way to Dumbledore's office. The portraits lining the walls watched him with curious eyes, sensing the storm brewing within him. The door creaked open, revealing the familiar room filled with books and trinkets.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his eyes twinkling with wisdom. But Harry saw through the facade. He saw the man who had let Hermione die, who had chosen the greater good over the life of his friend. The lightning within Harry surged, crackling with raw power.
"Harry," Dumbledore said, his voice calm and gentle. "I understand your anger, but there was no other way."
"No other way?" Harry's voice thundered, echoing through the room. "You let her die, Dumbledore! You betrayed us all!"
With a flick of his wand, Harry summoned the lightning from the storm outside. It danced around him, illuminating his face with an otherworldly glow. The room trembled as the power surged through him.
Dumbledore rose from his chair, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Harry, I did what I believed was necessary to defeat Voldemort. Hermione's sacrifice was not in vain."
Harry's grip on his wand tightened, his knuckles turning white. "You don't get to decide who lives and who dies, Dumbledore. Not anymore."
The lightning crackled, illuminating the room in a blinding flash. Harry's anger surged, fueling his every move. He unleashed a barrage of spells, each one more powerful than the last. Dumbledore, though weakened by age, fought back with all his might, his wand moving in graceful arcs.
The battle raged on, the clash of spells echoing through the corridors of Hogwarts. The lightning and the old wizard fought with equal ferocity, their powers colliding in a cataclysmic display of magic.
Finally, with one final surge of energy, Harry's lightning struck true. Dumbledore's body crumpled to the ground, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and understanding. The room fell silent, the storm outside subsiding as if mourning the loss of a great wizard.
Harry stood there, his chest heaving, his mind filled with a mix of triumph and regret. He had avenged Hermione's death, but at what cost? The weight of his actions settled upon him, and he knew that he would forever be haunted by the consequences of his rage.
Epilogue:
In the aftermath of Dumbledore's death, Harry found himself consumed by guilt. The lightning that had once fueled his anger now served as a constant reminder of the darkness within him. He had become the very thing he had fought against.
Haunted by his actions, Harry vowed to honor Hermione's memory by dedicating his life to fighting for justice and protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. He would never forget the lessons he had learned, nor the price he had paid for his vengeance.