Hey everyone,
This chapter is going to be one word; HARD! It's going to be in Albus' POV and going to cover the events of the Third Task and the graveyard in a way that, as far as I know, has rarely to never been done before in fanfiction. If it has been, I apologize and request that you send me the name of the story you have read it in before, I would love to read that. For now, on with the chapter.
Let's do this,
Venquine1990
Chapter 19
A Difficult Memory
7th of November 1995
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Dumbledore's POV
A lot of students had noticed my Pensive standing in front of Poppy upon entering the Great Hall and basically all of the conversations now going through the room are about why this is and what the Matron could have planned with it. Even my staff is looking confused and intrigued, yet I only care for two things. Harry looking better than he did last night and the fact that Poppy whispered at me: "I copied it while he slept. Informed him this morning."
And upon closer inspection do I notice that, while he does indeed look better, there is also a hidden tenseness to Harry's posture. This makes me feel a little concerned and makes me doubt if this really is the right move. But then I remember all the good that Poppy and the others have done for Harry these past few weeks and think: "They are doing what I keep trying and failing and they're constantly succeeding. They won't do this if they don't have a back-up plan."
And Poppy proves this to be so as, upon her standing up after the whole Hall has filled up, her first words are: "For those who have no desire to relive their fright and pain of June the 24th, please fill your plates and leave. For those of you who know, regardless of peer pressure, that they are too young to experience or re-experience a traumatic event, please do the same. For those who want to know the truth, but not succumb to their emotions, please take the potion on your right."
And a single bottle, filled with something I recognize as a highly potent Calming Draught, appears on the right of every plate of every student. At the same time all of Lea's friends appear all over the hall, all of them already with their weapons out. This shocks, confuses and scares a few of those around the hall, but Poppy's next words reassure them: "No need to worry. I have called upon Lea and the others to help you leave if you feel like it.
I know how badly peer pressure can be sometimes and know how much some of you believe in reputation above all else. Lea and the others are here to make sure that these beliefs will not cause mental or emotional harm to those who would rather chose their own mental or emotional health over the reputation of the House." At which I decide to add my own two cents and say: "And next to that, is there no strength stronger than the one to chose what's best for you.
You show more courage in the face of peer pressure than in the face of fear. You are wiser if you know that you can't handle something than if you gain Outstandings in all your NEWTs. Loyalty to one's self should always outweigh the loyalty to a House. And true ambition will get you nowhere if you don't help yourself stay strong first." And upon seeing Minerva, Filius, Pomona, Severus and Poppy nod in agreement to this, does something happen.
All of the First and Second years of every House along with at least half of the Third years and several Fourth, Fifth and even a few Sixth and a single Seventh year stand up and leave the tables. And while a few of those sitting with them want to call out, are those that try this instantly targeted by Lea and the others, their gazes warning those that wanted to try not to do so. Yet I also notice that Harry seems hesitant, that he wants to leave, yet his body seems to refuse.
This makes me turn to Poppy in concern, but the woman just motions me to look back. I do so and smile as I notice that Lea has come to stand with Harry, one hand on his shoulder, obviously ready to use the Dark Corridors the minute this experience becomes too much for his mate. Then I notice a presence behind me and hear Kairi whisper: "Watch this." And I feel her put her own hand on my shoulder. I notice that her hand is alight with some kind of power and turn from it to looking back at Harry and the hall at large.
And the change in sight astounds me. Lea's whole form is alight with an aura of golden light and so is part of Harry, yet there are also strands and tendrils of darkness floating and whisking around the boy. This worries and horrifies me, but then Kairi whispers: "They have been lessening all month. There was a good 50% more when we arrived. They are also weakening. Their forms were much thicker, much darker, much stronger when I first saw him on September first." And this, as the girl lets go of me, reassures me beyond words.
Poppy seems to have been waiting while Kairi spoke, obviously wanting to give those that left a good and proper chance to get as far away into other parts of the castle as possible and says: "Now, before I will show you all this memory, which is Mr. Potter's and recounts last June starting from the moment he and Mr. Diggory arrived at the Cup, I want you to know one last thing. All of your spoons have been turned into Port Keys to my wing. Use them if needed."
Yet while I had expected Harry to tense at this, do I notice him just strongly grabbing hold of Lea's hand on his shoulder while his other arm is now wrapped around his slightly rotund stomach. Poppy taps my Pensive with her wand and mist within it starts to slither out, tendrils of it moving all across the hall and seeping into the cracks between the bricks and pieces of stone that the hall is made of. Once this is done, the whole hall lights up.
And while this causes a few students to gasp and scream in shock, can I not help but silently admit to myself that I feel immensely curious. I know that I am one of the only two people to whom Harry ever came clean with what happened that night, yet the idea of watching the memory instead of hearing the tale still intrigues me greatly. Yet at the same time, do I feel my heart twist and feel glad that Pomona is seated between Minerva and myself.
The whole hall darkens as soon as the light fades and while I know that I am in the Great Hall and that there are others around me, do I suddenly feel as if I am the only one other than Memory Harry and Memory Cedric in the Memory maze. The two of them are running around a corner and spot the glowing light of the Goblet in the distance.
"Yes." M-Harry whispers and the two break into a run, both of them trying to pull the other back. Yet as they run, vines start coming out of the ground and small bushes start to spring out of the maze walls, trying to trip and push both boys back. Both try again and again to break free and to not let this halt them in their running, but then a group of vines wrap around M-Cedric's legs, tripping him. M-Harry runs a few more meters before turning around.
M-Cedric calls out to M-Harry several times and the boy turns his head between the frantic boy who keeps trying to fight against the ever growing vines and the cup that glows only a few feet into the distance. Then I get my first reminder that this is a memory as I hear Mss. Chang, from somewhere beyond the bushes, whisper: "Come on, Harry." And indeed the ever brave and caring boy aims his wand and snarls: "Reducto!"
This breaks most of the vines and M-Harry even runs back, breaking more of the now still vines and helping M-Cedric up. The elder boy thanks his younger competitor, yet Harry shrugs it off as he says: "No problem.""You know, for a moment there I thought you – you were going to let it get me." M-Cedric mutters and I hear a few other Badgers growl: "So did I." Only for them to shout in rage as M-Harry admits: "For a moment, so did I."
But the rage is short-lived as an almost tornado-like wind starts to blow from the other side of the pathway, the walls actually shrinking in on each other and M-Harry shouts at M-Cedric: "GO!" Both boys return to running for the cup. Yet as they reach the small plaza it is set in, they both falter and look back before Cedric yells: "Go on, take it! You saved me, take it!" But Harry counters: "Together. One, two –."
And while both boys yell the third number together, do I know – even without seeing him – that somewhere around me, the real Harry must be feeling terrible right now. I watch the effects of the Port Key take hold, taking the two boys from the maze into the graveyard that Harry described several months ago and grab Pomona's hand, knowing that Minerva has done the same on the woman's other side, even if I can't currently see my most loyal of staff.
The graveyard itself looks exactly like Harry described it, making me feel impressed that the boy had been able to describe such a scenery in such detail back then. "You okay?" M-Cedric asks while still lying on his back, even though M-Harry, who landed on his front, has already gotten up and Harry answers: "Yeah, you?" Cedric doesn't answer as he gets up and Harry walks over to the statue of the angel of death, which has a scythe in hand and a stone tablet in front of it.
The name that is on the tablet makes me grab onto the arm rest of my chair with my other hand as, while I normally never show it, I have grown a deep hatred for the name Riddle. "No one takes a student from me. Not without paying the ultimate price. Whatever it takes, I will pay Riddle back for taking Cedric's life." I think to myself, having a strong belief that I will be letting my anger out on my bedroom again tonight, just like I did on the night of the 24th of June.
"Where are we?" M-Cedric asks and I can't help but wince at how curious and carefree the boy sounds. "Get out of there, Cedric." I hear someone whisper somewhere and this makes me want to close my eyes as I know the boy won't do so, not alive. Hoping that whoever whispered this is being comforted by someone close, I watch as M-Harry whispers: "I've been here before." And as he walks past the statue, a cauldron comes into my line of vision.
Yet the memory then focuses on M-Cedric, who crouches only inches away from the Cup. "Grab it. Leave Potter there. Get out of there." I hear someone whisper venomously, which shocks and horrifies me. "He's one of mine. Leave him to me." I hear Pomona whisper to my side and I think: "A stage of grief. He's trying to bargain Cedric's life with Harry's." And while I consider this a horrible thing, do I know that it's also futile and this soothes my anger against said student.
"It's a Port Key." M-Cedric mutters, actually sounding elated and I tighten my grip, hating how this seems to take way longer than Harry first described, but then realizing that's only because I'm anxiously waiting for it all to just be over and done with. "Harry, the cup is a Port Key." But M-Harry interrupts him and urgently says: "I've been here before – in a dream. Cedric, we have to get back to the Cup, now."
Yet M-Cedric has actually walked away from it and asks: "What are you talking about?" The sound of a door opening is heard and a man, one very familiar thanks to the attack that happened a few days ago, walks out of a small room. This actually causes two things to happen. One, a fire ignites itself underneath the cauldron and two, M-Harry buckles through his legs as a horrible sense of pain seems to attack him from his scar.
This sight makes Pomona actually grip my hand in reassurance, just like I have been doing for her the entire time and I send the woman a grateful glance, able to see her and the other members of staff now that we are in a much larger and more open environment. "Harry, what is it?" M-Cedric asks, but M-Harry just implores him: "Get back to the cup." Causing a few gasps of shock to erupt from the students around me.
But instead of complying, like I know many around me are wishing the boy had done, M-Cedric walks around and aims his wand at Pettigrew. "Who are you? What do you want?" He angrily asks, only for the small being in Pettigrew's arms to hiss: "Kill the spare." And while I'm sure that many will be shocked by this, do I turn my face away with my eyes closed as Pettigrew snarls: "Avada Kedavra." And a second later, I still see the green flash of light rush past my closed eyelids and still hear something large and made of flesh hitting soil.
Yet to my relief, I also hear a rush of smoke, making me know that Lea has taken Harry back to his rooms. And I also hear more rushes of smoke and wind following this, proving to me that Roxas and the others are doing the same to students who had tried to stay behind. I open my eyes again and instantly regret it as I watch Pettigrew levitate M-Harry over to the statue, locking him into its grasp by putting the scythe against his throat, not enough to choke him, but enough to hold him tight, M-Harry grunting in pain the entire time.
"Do it, now!" The being in Pettigrew's arms, which actually looks worse than Harry himself described afterwards, hisses and Pettigrew turns to the cauldron. Yet then suddenly something happens and a fog comes over the entire scene, showing nothing but the actual furniture of the Great Hall and its students. Everyone looks around and I turn to Poppy who whispers: "It's best if we just show them how Harry escaped. They don't need to see the rest." At which I nod in agreement.
"Get up." A monster of a man suddenly says and several voices scream in fear and shock as they see someone with skin whiter than a skeleton, who has only two slits for a nose and whose eyes are red as blood. The being actually uses his free hand to wandlessly force M-Harry back on his feet, the boy grunting in pain as this happens. The being turns around and walks back a few steps and M-Harry uses this to try and hide behind a large tombstone.
"Don't you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you to look at me when I kill you." Then something else happens. As the memory focuses on Voldemort, the same mist seems to cover the people behind him. I turn to Poppy again and the woman whispers: "Sirius' trial." At which I nod as I realize that Lucius must have been standing right behind the monster, who speaks: "I want to see the light leave your eyes."
This horrifies quite a few of those around me and I notice that some of those that are in Harry's year are in tears of fright and horror. The memory focuses back on M-Harry, who takes a few deep breaths and then suddenly looks strongly determined, pulling himself away from his hiding place and slowly walking over to the clearing that M-Voldemort is in. The two stand opposite each other and the sight is beyond any I have ever seen. And while part of me is, again, reminded of the prophesy at the sight of this, do I also remember Harry's orders to Poppy's sister.
I want to turn to her, want to ask her if she knows anything, but don't as M-Harry strongly states: "Have it your way." Shocking a lot of those around me. Yet as the green-eyed boy casts his signature spell, the disarming charm, and as the red-eyed monster does the same with the Killing Curse, does it happen. The spells connect, a line is drawn and each end of this line attaches itself to one of the casting wands, while a single dot is in between.
From this sparks and bolts of lightning and magic burst in every which way and while the dot seems to remain in the middle at first, does it slowly but surely move itself to Harry's wand, the green of the killing curse growing in length, while the red of the disarming charm shrinks. M-Harry holds his wand with both hands and just before the dot reaches his wand, he starts to push back – and win. The red of his charm is this time the one to lengthen, pushing the green killing curse back onto its caster.
I take a quick look around and notice that everyone around me is in awe and wonder, their mouths all gaping and their eyes wide with wonder, awe, shock, disbelief and quite a few even with growing respect. "Do nothing! He's mine to finish!" M-Voldemort yells at his Death Eaters, even as the green of his curse shrinks in length and even though the Death Eaters are still covered in the same mist as before. "He's mine!" M-Voldemort screams again, just as the dot hits his wand.
A dome of light emits from the dot and the wand, encasing the two dueling wizards and a spark of blue light shoots out of M-Voldemort's wand, surging over to M-Harry and taking on a painfully familiar form. Another spark pulses out and turns into the Muggle that I found out had been killed in the summer of the Quidditch World Cup, which had been one of my strongest of hints that this would all happen. And finally, while part of me wishes that Harry had stayed, two more sparks shoot out, taking place on either side of M-Harry and turning into his greatest desire.
James and Lily Potter float protectively around their only son and instantly James Potter speaks to the child: "Harry, when the connection is broken, you must get to the Port Key. We can linger for a moment to give you some time, but only a moment, you understand?" And while tears of pain and love are clearly seen in the young boy's eyes, does he nod. "Harry, take my body back with you." M-Cedric then requests the boy, who turns to look at the spirit. "Take my body back to my father." M-Harry nods at him and Lily Potter gently tells her son:
"Let go. Sweetheart, you're ready. Let go. Let go!" And while for some reason I get the feeling that she's not just talking about the connection between the two wands, does M-Harry comply and with a yell of effort, he pulls his wand up in an arc, breaking the connection. Instantly the spirits do as James Potter's said they would, flying for M-Voldemort and obscuring his vision, blocking his path. M-Harry rushes for M-Cedric's body, lying a hand on it just as he aims his wand and shouts: "Accio." And upon the summoned cup touching his wand hand, the two vanish.
And right after this everything turns back to normal, the tendrils of the memory give off one last burst of light before they seep back into the Pensive, the Great Hall coming back into focus. And upon looking around, do I know one thing; many of those who have been vying and needing to finally find out what happened that night – are now regretting this desire. Looks of shock, horror, fright and even personal disgust are on a lot of faces. And then one question rings through the hall:
"How? How could we? How could we ever think we could force Potter to – to relive something like this? How could we think we could demand that he tell us about – that?" And to my absolute pride it's actually Cho Chang herself who is asking these questions, yet the girl also follows this up with: "I HATE YOU, MARRIETTA! BECAUSE OF YOUR NAGGING I SAW IT INSTEAD OF HEARING A SUMMARIZED VERSION OR SOMETHING! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"
And the girl bursts out crying, rushing from the Great Hall with tears streaming down her face. Instantly Filius is out of his seat and rushing out of the hall after his student, while the girl who had been screamed at is now a crying mess in her own seat, some of the other Ravens turning their backs on her with anger and disgust, but others, who have looks of guilt on their own faces, coming over to help her dry her tears.
One student then turns to me and asks: "Sir, what was with all that white mist? The stuff that seemed to be covering things up?" And I calmly answer: "Those were facts that are better left a secret, Mss. Ratcliffe. I'm not entirely agreeing to it, but considering that its secrecy helped a valued member of our society, I feel the need to keep it." The girl seems hesitant to accept this, but still nods. Yet while I speak to her, is my mind elsewhere. In concern, it's focused on young Harry.
Yet as I look around, do I instantly notice something. A lot more seats are empty than the amount of times that, in the distance, I heard the clouds of smoke and wind coming from the Corridors of Darkness. Yet I also notice that a lot of silverware is missing and instantly I turn to Poppy, who nods at me and rushes out of the hall. And while I hope that she will send someone like Sirius to Harry, do I feel grateful for her help with the other students who will need it.
Good on you, Poppy, Albus,
And next chapter, I am going to cover Harry and Lea, Harry's response to all this and then I'm going to make a small timejump to the Friday before the first Quidditch match of the season. I was also just going to cover the first match, but only the beginning and the end. However, a plan I had for the match and the results this plan would have made me change my mind. To be honest, I feel like the match is really the point where this whole story started taking off.
So, have fun,
Venquine1990
