The weight of the Tri-Wizard Cup was heavy in their hands as Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory collapsed onto the ground. The grass beneath them was soft and cool, providing a welcome relief from the intense trials they had faced. "You ok?" asked Cedric, concern etched into his features.
"Yeah, you?" replied Harry, taking deep breaths to steady himself.
"Where are we?" questioned Cedric, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"I've been here before," said Harry, his eyes scanning the landscape with a sense of recognition.
"It's a portkey. Harry, the cup is a portkey," exclaimed Cedric, realization dawning on him.
"I've seen this place before in a dream," said Harry, his gaze falling upon a familiar gravestone that bore the name Tom Riddle. "Cedric, we have to get back to the cup. Now."
"What are you talking about?" asked Cedric, confusion evident in his voice.
But before Harry could answer, he let out a pained shout and brought his hands to his head. His scar was burning, a sure sign that danger was near.
"What's going on?" asked Cedric, his voice quivering with fear.
Harry's heart raced as he frantically looked around for a way out. "We have to get back to the cup!" he yelled, his words laced with urgency.
As Wormtail approached them, Harry could see that he was carrying something covered in dirty, tattered robes. With shaking hands, Wormtail removed the fabric to reveal a horrifying sight. It resembled a twisted, deformed child with hairless skin that glistened in the dim light. Its limbs were thin and weak, and its face was contorted into a snarling, almost serpentine expression with glowing red eyes.
Cedric's anger quickly turned to terror as he stared at the abomination in front of them. "Who...what are you?" he stammered.
Like a venomous snake, the deformed child's voice hissed out the grizzly command, "Kill the spare."
Wormtail's trembling hand pointed a wand at Cedric and with a cruel sneer, he yelled "Avada Kedavra."
A burst of emerald light shot through Harry's closed eyelids, filling him with dread. The harrowing pain in his scar intensified and he could feel vomit rising in his throat. As the pain subsided, he cautiously opened his stinging eyes. Cedric lay motionless on the ground next to him, arms and legs splayed like a broken doll.
"Cedric!" Harry cried out in disbelief and anguish. But his worst fears were confirmed as Wormtail dragged him closer and flung him against a nearby statue. With a flick of his wand, the statue came to life, its stone hands grasping onto Harry's struggling limbs, trapping him in a vice-like grip.
The voice hissed like a snake, dripping with malice and power. "Do it, now!" it commanded, sending shivers down Wormtail's spine. With trembling hands, he lifted the deformed child and dropped them into the bubbling cauldron, its contents glowing an eerie green.
"Bones of the father, unwillingly given," chanted Wormtail, his wand pointing at a nearby skeleton. With a flick of his wrist, the bones levitated into the air under Wormtail's control and were dropped into the cauldron with a loud splash.
"Flesh of the servant willingly sacrificed," he continued, taking a knife and slicing open his arm without hesitation. Blood dripped from his wound and fell into the cauldron with a sickening plop.
"Blood of the enemy forcibly taken," Wormtail's voice shook as he approached Harry with the knife. The young wizard fought against his restraints as Wormtail cut into his skin, causing him to cry out in pain. The drops of blood were then added to the cauldron, completing the dark ritual.
"The Dark Lord shall rise again," finished Wormtail, his eyes filled with twisted devotion and fear. As soon as the final words left his lips, the cauldron erupted in flames, engulfing both Wormtail and Voldemort in their fiery embrace.
Emerging from the flames was a reformed Voldemort, more powerful and terrifying than ever before. His red eyes glowed with triumph as he reached out for his wand that lay in Wormtail's shaking hand.
"My wand, Wormtail," he commanded in a voice that sent chills down everyone's spine. And with trembling hands, Wormtail obeyed, placing the wand in Voldemort's eagerly awaiting grasp.
"Extend your arm, Wormtail," demanded Voldemort with a hiss.
Trembling, Wormtail obeyed and held out his arm, his breath coming in short gasps.
"The other arm, Wormtail," commanded Voldemort, his red eyes gleaming with malice.
Wormtail's expression turned to one of concern, but he complied nonetheless. With a swift motion, Voldemort pressed his wand into Wormtail's arm and a sudden change overtook the sky above them. The Dark Mark burned brightly over the graveyard, summoning the other death eaters one by one.
"Greetings, my faithful followers. Thirteen years have passed since we last stood together in this place, yet you appear before me as if it were only yesterday," said Voldemort with a sly smile. "I must admit, I am disappointed. Not one of you made an effort to find me."
As he spoke, Voldemort began to remove the masks of the hooded figures one by one, revealing their faces in the dim light. His eyes fell upon Lucius Malfoy and a snarl twisted his features.
"Not even you, Lucius," growled Voldemort as he pulled off his mask.
"My lord, had I suspected even a hint of your whereabouts," began Lucius with a shaky voice.
"There were hints, my old friend. More than whispers," interrupted Voldemort, his voice laced with anger.
"I assure you, my loyalty never wavered. The facade I was forced to maintain during your absence was merely a mask," declared Lucius.
"I returned," interjected Wormtail timidly.
"Out of fear, not true loyalty," sneered Voldemort. "However, you have proven yourself useful in recent months."
With a flick of his wand, Voldemort caused Wormtail's missing hand to regrow in front of their astonished eyes.
"Thank you, master," stammered Wormtail gratefully.
"Oh, such a handsome boy," hissed Voldemort as he caressed Cedric's lifeless body. The cold touch of his fingers sent shivers down Harry's spine.
"Don't touch him!" Harry yelled, struggling against the statue that held him in place.
Voldemort turned to face Harry, a wicked smile spreading across his pale features. "Harry! I'd almost forgotten you were here. Standing on the bones of my father. I'd introduce you but word has it you're almost as famous as me these days. The boy who lived. How lies have fed your legend, Harry. But shall I reveal what happened that night thirteen years ago? Shall I divulge how I truly lost my powers?" His red eyes glittered with malice.
"It was love," he continued, mocking Lily Potter's sacrifice. "When dear sweet Lily gave her life for her only son, she provided the ultimate protection. I could not touch you. It was old magic, something I should have foreseen. But no matter now, things have changed. I can touch you now!"
With a cruel laugh, Voldemort placed his hand on Harry's head and the young wizard screamed in agony.
With a flick of his wand, Voldemort forced Harry to bow down before him. The dark wizard sneered as he looked at the boy on the ground, blood dripping from a cut on his arm.
"You see, Harry? Even just a few drops of your blood can do remarkable things," taunted Voldemort. He gestured for Harry to pick up his wand and get up.
"Get up, Potter!" he shouted. "You've been taught how to duel, I presume?" He chuckled darkly. "First, we must observe the proper etiquette. We bow to each other."
Reluctantly, Harry bowed to Voldemort under the influence of his magic.
"That's better," said Voldemort with a wicked smile. "And now..."
He cast a spell at Harry, causing him to writhe in pain on the ground.
"Yes, that's it, Harry," he mocked. "Your parents would be so proud of you...especially your filthy mudblood mother."
Harry gritted his teeth in anger and fear as he struggled against the curse.
"I'm going to kill you, Harry Potter," snarled Voldemort. "I'm going to destroy you. And after tonight, no one will ever dare question my power again."
He pulled Harry roughly to his feet and shoved him away when he tried to move away.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me!" yelled Voldemort. "Look at me when I kill you...I want to see the light leave your eyes."
Harry takes steps toward Voldemort.
"Have it your way then, you coward," Harry roared, his wand raised high. "Expelliarmus!"
"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort shrieked in response, his wand blazing with deadly intent.
The two streams of magic clashed in a burst of light and power. The ground trembled as the forces battled against each other.
"Do nothing," Voldemort snarled, his eyes glittering with malice. "He is mine to finish. He's mine!"
As their magical energies collided, shapes and figures began to form in the air around them, created by the intense energy radiating from their spells.
With a final surge of strength, both beams of light burst apart and Voldemort aimed his wand directly at Harry, unleashing a blood-boiling curse with a maniacal laugh. With lightning reflexes, he rolled to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding being hit full force.
But even as he dodged the lethal spell, Harry still felt its impact as it grazed his side, causing searing pain to shoot through him. With gritted teeth and determination, he pushed himself back up onto his feet, ready to face Voldemort head-on.
Harry's resolve hardened as he locked eyes with Voldemort, the pain in his side fueling his determination. Despite the agony, Harry knew he couldn't show any sign of weakness. Voldemort, sensing Harry's resilience, let out a cold laugh that echoed through the graveyard.
"You can't escape, Harry," Voldemort hissed, his wand poised for another attack. "You are alone, and no one is coming to save you."
With a twisted and malevolent grin, Voldemort unleashed an Organ-decaying curse at Harry. The dark magic swirled and crackled in the air, aiming straight for its target. Harry raised his wand in defence, hastily casting a protego spell to create a shield around himself.
But the curse was too powerful - it sliced through the shield like a hot knife through butter, striking Harry with a sickening thud in the center of his abdomen. The force of the impact sent him flying backwards, crashing into a nearby gravestone with bone-shattering force. Pain exploded throughout his body as he lay dazed on the ground, struggling to regain his composure and fend off another attack from the Dark Lord.
In the eerie silence that followed, Harry could hear his heart pounding in his chest, each beat a reminder of the peril he faced. Lying on the ground, his vision blurred from the pain, Harry's mind raced for a solution, any means to combat the seemingly invincible Voldemort.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed the faint glow of his wand, lying just out of reach. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he stretched out his hand, his fingers grazing the wand's handle. With a desperate effort, he grasped it, feeling a surge of hope.
Voldemort, seeing Harry's defiant act, sneered. "You still dare to stand against me? You are but a child playing at being a hero."
But Harry, bolstered by the connection to his wand, rose to his feet. Pain racked his body, but his resolve was ironclad. "I'm not alone," he whispered, drawing upon the memories of his parents, and all those who had fought and suffered at the hands of Voldemort. "Their strength is with me."
Voldemort laughed coldly. "Foolish boy, your sentimentality is your weakness."
Ignoring the taunts, Harry focused on the energy coursing through him, the collective will of all who opposed the darkness. He pointed his wand at Voldemort, not intending to attack, but to protect, to shield the world from this embodiment of evil.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted, pouring every ounce of his belief, his hope, and his desire to protect into the spell. A blinding light erupted from his wand, morphing into a massive, luminous stag that charged toward Voldemort with an ethereal grace.
Voldemort, caught off guard by the unexpected display of powerful, protective magic, faltered. His sneer turned to a snarl as he prepared to counterattack, but the stag was upon him, its light searing, not just physically but touching something deep within the dark wizard that he thought long dead – fear.
The Patronus didn't harm Voldemort directly; instead, it illuminated the graveyard with a purity that seemed to weaken the dark magic around them. Harry, seizing the moment, aimed his wand directly at Voldemort.
Harry, breathing heavily, used this brief respite to call out to anyone who could hear him. "If you're out there, if you can hear me – I need you now!"
"Nobody can help you now Harry Potter" sneered Voldemort, pointing at Harry "Crucio"
The spell hit Harry squarely, sending waves of unbearable pain coursing through his body, pain so intense that it blurred his vision and made it nearly impossible to think. Yet, within the agony, there was a clarity. Harry remembered the countless times he had faced adversity, the moments he had stood on the brink of despair and fought back, not with brute force, but with the strength of his convictions and the support of his friends.
Through gritted teeth and with an effort that seemed to draw on the very depths of his being, Harry resisted the curse. He refused to scream, refused to give Voldemort the satisfaction. Instead, he focused on the memories of his parents, and all who had sacrificed themselves in the fight against darkness. Their courage, their love, and their sacrifices formed a shield around his heart, a barrier that pain could not penetrate.
As the curse lifted, Harry gasped for air, his body trembling from the ordeal. Voldemort looked on, his expression a mixture of surprise and fury. Harry had withstood the curse, a feat few could claim. The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed, realizing that this battle was unlike any other.
With the pain subsiding, Harry found his feet, standing defiantly in front of Voldemort. His voice was steady, his resolve clear. "You may think you have power over me, but you're wrong. You rely on fear and pain, but they are weak foundations. Love, friendship, and courage are the true sources of strength. And they are something you know nothing about."
Voldemort's sneer deepened. "Foolish boy. You think these sentimental notions can protect you?" He raised his wand again, intent on ending the duel with a final, fatal curse.
The world around Harry blurred as black spots invaded his vision, a sure sign that he was dying. Despite the pain and betrayal from his former friends Hermione and Ron, and even from his own house of Gryffindor, Harry couldn't help but smile at the thought of being reunited with his parents. However, a pang of sadness hit him as he realized he would never see Aurora again, the one person who had truly captured his heart.
"Aurora, I'm sorry," he cried out in agony.
As if in response to his sorrow, an intense orange flame engulfed Harry, transporting him through a fiery portal to another realm. Voldemort's furious cries echoed behind him, but they were quickly drowned out as Harry disappeared into the unknown.
"No!" Voldemort bellowed in frustration as Harry vanished before his very eyes. The Dark Lord's victory over the boy who lived slipped through his fingers once again.
(Line Break)
The forest was alive with the glow of golden trees, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. In the midst of this magical scene, a figure appeared - Harry. He looked up to see a woman standing over him, her appearance deceivingly youthful despite the wisdom that seemed to radiate from her eyes.
Her chartreuse green eyes were entrancing, with vertically slit pupils like that of a cat. Her scarlet lips were shaped like a perfect bow, set against her beautiful pale skin and long white hair. Harry could sense an otherworldly aura about her, one that surpassed even the enchanting Veelas at the World Cup.
As he lay at her feet gasping for air, Harry felt his life slowly slipping away. His lips turned blue against his deathly white face, the blood pooling around him ignored by the ethereal woman kneeling next to him. "You still live," she spoke softly, "I can save you...Harry, listen to my words."
Struggling to speak, Harry managed to gasp out "Help me…Aurora…Please"
"Do you accept whatever may come along with it?" asked the Lady of Summer.
His thoughts muddled and breaking with every breath, Harry knew he should question it. A small part of him wanted to resist. But a larger part just wanted to continue living. With great effort, he grunted out an affirmative reply.
Her hands clasped his own, their touch surprisingly warm despite the coldness seeping into his body. "Just remember, Harry," she whispered, "once this is done there is no going back"
The words were barely a whisper as Aurora spoke them. The light in the forest, l flickered leaving only the flickering golden trees. Harry coughed weakly, his body struggling against death's grip.
"I understand, Aurora," he managed to say, his voice barely above a rasp.
"Take it freely, for it is freely offered...until death comes..." Aurora's voice trailed off as she poured her remaining strength and power into her words. She urged Harry to repeat after her, their hands clasped tightly together. He did so, his consciousness drifting between life and death, but anchored in the present by their entwined hands.
As Harry repeated the words, a radiant warmth spread through his veins, countering the cold clutch of death. It was as if the very essence of life was being funnelled into him, his wounds began to knit together, the pain dissipating like mist under the morning sun. The forest around them seemed to respond to this renewal of life, the golden leaves rustling softly as if whispering encouragement.
"...shalt have me in thy keeping." With those words, something inside of Harry and Aurora opened like a door, unleashing a rush of scorching light that enveloped them both. They cried out in unison as the force consumed them, binding them together with an intense heat that felt simultaneously familiar and new.
As the power surged through him, Harry felt himself healing from within. He gasped for air as he sat up, completely unharmed and whole once again. His clothes were tattered and torn, but his body bore no marks of the recent battle with death.
In awe, Harry looked down at himself and then at Aurora. "What...what did you do?" he asked incredulously.
"My life force now runs through you, just as yours does through me," she explained wearily. "We are connected in a way that transcends death."
Aurora's revelation left Harry breathless, not just from the physical transformation he had undergone, but from the profound bond they now shared. The realization that their lives were so intricately intertwined was both daunting and comforting. He looked into her chartreuse eyes, seeing not just the woman who had saved him, but a companion for the journey ahead, whatever it may hold.
Harry's heart raced as he searched for the right words, his mind reeling from what had just happened. "What does this mean, what did you do? What do you get from this?" he managed to ask. "I know as well as you do that Nothing is free for the fae."
"I get you," she replied calmly, her eyes fixed on him.
Harry froze, his heart beating loudly in his throat. "What?"
"I get you," she repeated, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "All of you."
He felt a surge of unfamiliar power beating deep in his chest, like a second heart. "Why do I feel this...power within me?" he asked, struggling to understand.
Her eyes lit up with recognition. "You can feel it then?"
As she reached out and her fingers brushed against his forearm, Harry gasped. The same intense heat he had felt earlier when their flesh connected now pulsed between them. The well of power within him jumped and danced under her touch. He shuddered as energy crackled just under his skin, like magic but hot and intense like basking in the noontime sun. Heat flooded through his veins, leaving him feeling recharged and revitalized. But as her eyes met his, Harry snatched his arm away from her grasp, panting.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, trying to reign in his racing thoughts and emotions.
Aurora chuckled softly and said gently, "The bit of Summer in you knows where it comes from, and it was simply saying hello."
"Power isn't sentient," responded Harry automatically, trying to make sense of the impossible.
"You've never truly beheld all of nature then," she replied with a knowing look in her eye. A small frown formed on her pretty lips as if she could see the disbelief still lingering in his expression.
With a tired sigh, he ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair. "Since one of us was on the brink of death when it was formed, what exactly is this entity that jump-started my life?" His voice was tinged with confusion and disbelief.
"You were clinging to the chains of death when I grabbed you tight and ripped you away with all that I am," said Aurora, moving closer to him. Her ethereal beauty seemed to glow. "My essence merged with yours, sharing its life force and power until you were whole again. But in doing so, your essence clung to mine, creating a bond between us that cannot be broken."
"It had a side effect of marrying you to my Daughter" A feminine voice interrupted their conversation. Harry and Aurora turned to see a woman dressed in a blood-red gown that seemed to shimmer in the light. Diamonds adorned her neck and wrists, sparkling like stars in the night sky. Her dandelion white hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves. A small smile played on her lips as she looked at Harry, but there was something cold and distant behind it.
"Hello, my son-in-law," she said with a regal air. "I am Queen Titania, ruler of the Summer Court and mother to Aurora. While I know my daughter and you have been friends for quite some time now, may I ask what brings you to my domain in the Nevernever?" The way she spoke suggested she already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from Harry himself.
"It goes like this…" began Harry
(Line Break)
A/N: thoughts comments, I appreciate all reviews and comments I will try to reply to every single comment and review.
This story is based on Awaken Sleeper by Water Mage, I am going to give credit to them for the concepts I took from this Amazing fic.
The next few chapters will be Flashbacks of Harry's (Potter) fourth year, after the Events of Summer Knight this Fic will take its own turn.