Trust and Betrayal
By: JA_Japster
Inspired and partially based on the OAV "Samurai X"
Copyright Notice: Harry Potter is copyrighted to J.K Rowling and Samurai X and Rurouni Kenshin is copyrighted to Nobuhiro Wazuki and Shueisha Jump Comics. The fanfiction is the product of JA_Japster and should not be reproduced in any fashion without permission.
Betrayal
Part X: Flames of the Phoenix
"You're dead, Harry." Janus whispered softly to the shaking young boy clinging desperately to him. Janus was surprised the Order assassin still drew breath, still held so obstinately on to the sliver of life that he still had. Countless skilled wizards Janus had flawlessly killed with his most sacred technique, yet the boy continued to live. It would not be for too much longer though, no matter how powerful Harry might be. Janus' technique had never failed to kill -the Slayer's death was inevitable.
Blood was everywhere, soaking both men's robes. The boy had done a fine job dodging Janus' attacks up until then, but against the lightening fast speed of his flaming fist, he had no chance at all. Harry never saw the blow coming, and probably felt little pain as Janus' fist tore through his chest and exited out through his back in an explosion of blue fire and spraying blood. Instinctively, Harry's trembling hands shot out and grasped Janus, his eyes wide with shock from the mortal blow. He tried to say something, but nothing came out except for the steady stream of blood that seeped from his open mouth.
"Just lie down," Janus said into his ear as he laid the boy down on the ground. "Close your eyes and sleep."
But Harry would not die. His breath came as rasp shallow gasps for air, and a crimson stream flowed from the gaping hole in his chest, but he struggled to rise. His hands flailed futilely for his dropped wands, and Janus did not stop him. The shock from the massive wound had probably blinded the young assassin, and it would only be a matter of time before death claimed him. Janus admired the young assassin's determination. He picked up Harry's wand and placed it gently in his hands, happy to oblige the dying wish of such a formidable opponent.
With genuine sorrow, Janus said, "I'm sorry about this, Harry, I truly am. But please, do us all a favor now and just die."
--
Just die…
Harry was surrounded by darkness. It was everywhere, stretching on into an endless abyss of gaping nothingness. While his eyes could not see anything, in the distance he could hear voices, human voices, permeating the void. He reached out but felt nothing even though he could hear the voices so clearly. It was as if an intangible wall separated him from the rest of the world, trapping him in this maw of eternal night.
Please, do us all a favor and die…
It was Janus' voice.
Janus. Harry could not remember much. The last thing he recalled was the electricity glowing on the Death Eater's hand, and then he found himself in this new dimension, whatever it was. He looked around, searching for a doorway of some sort that would transport him back to his world so he could resume his battle with Janus. He would kill the Irishman and hurry to make up for lost time in hunting down Hermione. But first he had to figure out how to get out of here…
"Welcome, Slayer."
The voice came from everywhere and nowhere, piercing through the veil of darkness. It echoed around the empty realm, booming loudly in Harry's ears.
"Who is there?" Harry demanded. "What do you want from me?"
"Who I am," The voice replied, "Is of no consequence. What I want from you is to decide."
"Decide?"
"You stand on the doorway to death, young Potter. You have been all but slain by Janus O'Meara. Your life force is waning, and soon all connection you have with the real world shall be severed forever."
"What must I do to return?" asked Harry desperately. He could not die here. Not yet. Not until his revenge was complete.
"Decide."
"What the hell do you mean decide?" bellowed the assassin angrily. "Decide what?"
"Decide how much you wish to live. You are a pathetic creature, Harry Potter, a man existing for only one purpose which is revenge. You're life has no meaning aside for the single moment of retribution that you crave."
"I can not allow this betrayal to lie!" yelled Harry.
The voice adopted what Harry could only guess was a sardonic tone. "Betrayal -for that you wish to toss away everything, every joy that you had never experienced until you met the woman you loved. You are a traitor to England, Harry, by the law's perspective and that is all life is: perspective."
"She's a traitor. I loved Hermione…yes. But now that love is gone."
"Why?"
"Because she sides with my enemy. How can I love my enemy?"
"She loves you."
"No she doesn't."
A booming laughter filled the darkness. "You assume to tell me what I do or do not know? But then, you have always been arrogant. It is one of your greatest attributes…and weaknesses. That self assurance that everything you think is right. Tell me, Harry, why do you think she hates you?"
"I killed her fiancée."
"Ah, yes, Theodon Locke. You killed him. It is done. She has forgiven you for your sin, but you can not bring yourself to accept this. You can not comprehend the limitless forgiving nature of love. You are so sure that you do not deserve this mercy that you convince yourself that she hates you just so you can gain some sense of understanding. "
"Shut up!" Harry screamed.
"You can't stand the idea of her hating you because you loved her so."
"Shut up!"
"So you deny your love…and turn to the only thing you have left."
"Shut up!"
"Your hate."
"You don't know anything about me! Hermione lied to me. She lied to me about everything including her feelings for me! She tried to have me killed!"
The voice sighed.
"Just let me leave so that I can do what I must." Harry said.
"Is that your decision? The road you choose to walk is not one without consequence."
"I am certain." replied Harry. "What must I do?"
In response, the darkness shimmered, and suddenly before him a unicorn appeared. It was a beautiful creature with white hair that glowed, dispersing the shadows. It trotted over to Harry and nuzzled its soft, warm nose against Harry's face. The touch of such a miraculous beast sent shivers down Harry's spine, and involuntarily his anger drained away. He could not help but feel a fond adoration for the creature, and unconsciously he reached down to stroke its silky man.
"Kill it." The voice said.
"What?" Harry asked in horror.
"Slay it with your knife
Harry glanced down and saw that indeed a blade had somehow appeared in his hands. He wanted to toss it aside in revulsion, disgusted by the idea of killing the innocent beast. "Why? It has done nothing!"
"That is the only way you can return to seek your revenge. Kill the unicorn and drink its blood! Only that can save you now!"
"No!"
"Then you're desire for vengeance must not be as strong as I thought."
"But…"
"Decide!"
Harry hesitated and took turns looking at the ornamental dagger in his hand and the unicorn. He could not fathom what kind of sadistic entity tested him like this, but for some reason he did not believe any deceit was present. If the death of this poor creature could purchase his return to the realm of the living…could he do it? Would he sacrifice one life so that he could attain his justice?
I can not die until I've seen Hermione again…
I can not die until I've avenged my parents…
I can not die until I've avenged myself…
Revenge is the only thing that matters…
I will do anything for it…
Because until it is achieved I will not know peace…
I have no choice…
I can not die…not yet…
I must kill…
Before he even realized what he was doing, the dagger plunged into the unicorn's neck with a sickening sound of muscle and flesh tearing. The unicorn reared up in alarm, shrieking in terror and agony as blood gushed from the deep cut.
Kill! Kill! Kill!
The knife landed again and again, splattering blood with each stroke. He slashed at the helpless beast, deafened to its cries of pain by the haze of rage and hate that engulfed him. He continued to brutally stab the once beautiful creature until its moans finally subsided and its struggling stopped. With a primal cry, Harry tossed aside the knife and without hesitation plunged his mouth into the bleeding unicorn carcass, greedily drinking the blood that flowed from the dozens of ghastly wounds. He drank, lapping up the crimson flow of the innocent, uncaringly, until he could drink no more. Whipping back his head, he glared into the darkness, blood dripping from his mouth like a savage animal.
"I have done it!" He screamed into the night.
The voice sounded sad when he spoke again. "So you have."
---
Janus had begun to walk away from Harry's body when he heard the words. It was barely more than an audible whisper, a faint breath that formed the fading cry of "Avada Kedavara!" Regardless, the Irishman reacted instinctively and threw himself to the side and barely missed being struck by the flash of green light that tore inches over his head. He landed in a roll and sprang back to his feet, more than a little surprised to see Harry sitting up, wand pointed menacingly at him.
Janus's red eyes widened his surprise…no utter shock. He had reserved that technique for the finishing blow. It centralized all of the user's magical energy into their right arm, creating an unstoppable blade-like attack that was capable of cutting through anything. Bone, flesh -anything it touched was instantly annihilated. Its initial failure to instantly kill Harry had been mildly interesting, but there was no way anyone could have suffered its killing prowess and lived to tell about it. No one could have survived being struck by it, no one, not even Harry Potter.
"I promised you…" Harry said, his voice low and threatening. "I would kill you!"
He should be dead, much less able to stand. Janus thought in wonderment.
Suddenly, flames sprang around Harry, as if his body had caught aflame. Fascinated, Janus watched as the flames wrapped around Harry's torso, swirling up and down his arms and legs, growing larger as if feasting on Harry's flesh. But the assassin appeared unscathed by the flames; he acted as if he was completely oblivious to them. His eyes were locked on Janus, blazing with fury as hot as the inferno that encircled him.
The flames abruptly stopped their dance, and began to rescind into Harry's body. As they returned to Harry, Janus noticed flesh started to reform where his attack had rent them open. Wounds melted together as if they'd never been inflicted, and bones and muscle magically mended back together in an instant. When the last of the fire had died away, Harry emerged from the smoldering embers completely unharmed.
Then it dawned on Janus, and an impressed smile formed on his face. "The Flame of the Phoenix technique. Simply amazing." He said, clapping his hands together.
The Flame of the Phoenix technique was a skill as ancient as the world itself, but since its creation by the earliest of wizards only a handful had ever used it, and none mastered its power. When triggered, it would rescue the user from any injury no matter how dire, enveloping them in its healing fire. No one had ever learned how to use it on command, and it was said that only the most powerful wizards could ever hope of summoning its powers, and then only unconsciously and purely by chance.
While incredibly useful and rare, Janus knew of its major flaw. The technique could heal any wound, but the users magical energy was the price paid to fuel the remedial flames. The user might survive a fatal blow, but they would be left incredibly weak. And if they did not have any energy to capitalize on the sudden turn in fate and change defeat into victory, then it would do them absolutely no good.
"You are as powerful as James…maybe even stronger." Janus remarked. He looked at Harry and saw that his theory on the Flame of the Phoenix technique was indeed correct. The younger assassin looked exhausted, as if just remaining standing was requiring all of his concentration.
"Shut up about my father, Janus, you traitorous bastard!" Harry yelled. "That's right, a traitor, that's all you are, you scum. You were my friend and know what Hermione has done to me, and yet you still protect her!"
"I have no choice, Harry. I must do this."
"Why?"
"Because I am what I am, Harry, and you are what you are. Assassins. Killers. We are wolves, Harry, predators. And for that reason we are born to fight. We are born for only one purpose, to kill and to die."
"I didn't want to be a killer anymore!" Harry almost screamed in frustration. "I wanted to live with Hermione and be happy! I thought I had found purpose here!"
Janus shook his head pityingly. "It is an illusion, Harry. We are to never know love or happiness. That is our curse, our fate. I thought I could escape from that life of bloodshed…and no my foolishness endangers the lives of everyone in this village."
"We were friends, Janus! Friends! Friends do not do this!"
The albino Death Eater was silent for a moment. "Yes, you were my friend, Harry, just as your father was mine also. But like I said, I have no choice in the matter. I never have; I never will."
"We always have a choice, Janus. Whether or not you want to make it is up to you. How long are you going to let yourself be manipulated and used? You are smarter than that, Janus. Open your eyes."
The Irishman frowned. "I am sorry, Harry. I truly am. But I'm a Death Eater, obliged to follow orders until death."
"Then I can not save you." Was all Harry replied.
"Let's end this," Said Janus. He placed his palm on the ground again, and within moments the same electricity blazed brightly on his arm. Harry nodded and crouched down into a dueling stance, his wand ready to strike. He had no illusion that he could beat the Irishman's speed, but he was desperate and ready to try anything. He would not hold anything back.
"Good bye, Harry."
"Good bye, Janus."
---
This is it…I'm going to die…
With a wordless scream, Harry charged forward, rushing forward to meet Janus. His eyes closed, and time seemed to drag to a crawl. Each step towards his enemy…no his friend lasted for an eternity. The thud of each footstep resounded thunderously in his head.
I won't be able to avenge you mother and father…
I won't be able to avenge you Ron…
I'm sorry…
He never remembered forming the words for a deadly cutting curse, nor did he recall his arms moving to perform the spell. He must have, because he heard his voice cry out the incantation. Yet, it seemed so unreal. So distant…as if none of this was happening at all. As if this was all some terrible nightmare that would be dispersed when…
…He opened his eyes. Something warm splashed across his face and onto his chest. He felt no pain. He felt nothing…nothing at all. His hands touched his body, searching for a wound, but they discovered none. The blood was not his own. .
Harry turned around just in time to see the Irishman stumble to the ground. He was holding his stomach, his fingers vainly trying to staunch the flow of blood that spilled between to stain the earth. He did not try to rise, content to lay there in crimson river pooling beneath his body. Slowly, hesitantly, Harry walked over and kneeled beside Janus.
"You're faster than I thought…" Janus whispered weakly. Already whatever blood that his pale face once had was quickly draining, but despite that he managed a shaky laugh.
"Don't try to lie to me, Janus." Harry responded, almost angrily. "We both know I couldn't beat you."
"Yeah…yeah, I know…"
"Then how-" Harry glanced at Janus and saw the humorous twinkle in the other man's red eyes. Suddenly, Harry understood. "You didn't even attack. You didn't even try."
"Smart boy."
"I don't understand…" The young assassin said confused. "You said…you said you had to kill me. That you had no choice."
Janus chuckled. "I've never made a choice in the past, foolishly resigning myself to the will of others. I've always been a pawn for others…but you were right, Harry, you were so right. A pawn can also become a queen, free to make any choice. Whether to live or not, to give you the opportunity I denied your parents -that was my decision, and I finally made it."
"Why are you letting me live? Why are you dying for me, Janus?" Harry demanded. "Why?"
The dying Death Eater shrugged. "Maybe it's because I feel guilty about killing your parents. Maybe it's because deep down inside I hate the Death Eaters. Maybe it's because I really do like you Harry. Or maybe…" He grinned boyishly. "Or maybe it's just because I can."
"You idiot," Harry muttered. He was confused. He had wanted to kill Janus, but suddenly his hate for the Irishman had dissipated as quickly as it had arisen. He could not bring himself to be angry at his friend. "You told me people don't deserve what they don't earn."
"I'm a murderer, Harry. Being a hypocrite doesn't make me any worse of a man, does it?" The Death Eater asked. He coughed violently, spewing forth more blood.
"It's time for you to go," The Irishman said. He reached into the pocket of his leggings and removed a scroll identical to the one Harry had seen Draco use. He unfurled it and wiped some of his own blood on it. "It'll get you to London. What you choose do from there is entirely up to you. I made my choice; now it's time for you to make yours."
Harry said nothing as he accepted the scroll, staring at his dying friend. "I'm sorry, Janus."
"For what?" The Death Eater scoffed. "I'm a killer -this is my fate."
"No one deserves to die this way."
"All wolves deserve to die this way." Janus replied. "I couldn't change who I was…but maybe you can."
"I don't think so, Janus. You know what I have to do next"
"Yeah, I know."
Harry gripped the scroll tightly, trying to fight back the tears that welled in his eyes. The older man noticed them. "Shed no tears for me, Harry." He said. "I'm dying not because you killed me…I'm dying because I chose to. Because you were my friend. Now go, get out of here."
"But…we can still get you a healer, someone to…"
"It's time for you to go." Janus interrupted lightly. "Please…go."
Harry nodded and turned away, biting his lip and screwing his eyes tightly to hide his sadness. He held the scroll out and quickly whispered the incantation. Immediately, a wall of blue light formed around him, and through it he looked at Janus for the last time.
"Goodbye, my friend." He whispered.
---
Janus was dying. Already the world was growing dimmer and dimmer, and soon the soothing blanket of death would completely consume him. He might have been able to conjure some spell to heal his wound, but frankly even if he could he did not want to. It was best for him to die…to make his death mean something. He would die like he always wanted to, in a blaze of glory, sacrificing his life for a greater purpose. He would die helping a friend, something he should have done a long time ago.
"Please forgive me, James and Lilly." Janus whispered to the air. With any luck he might see them again soon and be able to beg their forgiveness in person. He hoped they would. He hoped his helping their son would grant him some redemption. He glanced around at the forest and his thoughts traveled to the Fisherman's Village where his friends were wondering where he had gone. When he died, the Death Eaters would have no business with the village He hoped they would be all right. His only regret was that he had not said goodbye to them…especially Patrick.
With shaking hands he removed a cigarette from his pant's pocket, lit it, and stuck it between his teeth. He let the smoke sooth his nerves, relaxing him for the journey into the great unknown.
He took a long drag from his cigarette. All alone, no one saw it fall from his lips.
---
Authors Notes:
Wow. First off, I want to thank you all for the huge amount of reviews I received for the last chapter. I apologize if
it sounded like some desperate plea for attention; it wasn't meant to be that way. I honestly just wanted to get
some idea of how many people were still reading. From the large response, I gather Trust and Betrayal still has a large
audience, and that pleased me so much I hastened to finish chapter ten. Thanks again.
This chapter was hard to write as it signaled the death of my only original character (Janus) and the complete transformation of Harry from assassin to gentle lover back to assassin. I hoped I handled it OK without dipping too far in the pool of angst clichés. It's been in production since the beginning of Part II (which was several months ago) and has gone through many drafts. I think this final one is draft seven or eight I think.
Once again, I thank you very much for your reviews. I'll try to get back to some of them soon.