Unofficial Portkey Archive

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The Sixth Horcrux

When Harry woke the next morning, his arm was numb and his neck hurt. He and Hermione had fallen asleep in the common room, and Hermione was leaning against Harry's shoulder, cutting off some circulation to it. Harry looked down, and was amazed at how peaceful she looked now. Her face was somber as she slept, and Harry felt he should try not to wake her. He began to move slowly, but stopped, and wondered why he was trying to leave. It was a Saturday, so there was no rush to be getting up.

Harry decided to stay there with Hermione, just moving slightly so the feeling in his arm would come back. He felt the warmth returned to his arm, and was surprised to see that Hermione had fallen asleep holding his hand. Her hand was small, but fit nicely in Harry's. Harry, being caught in his daze from waking at the position he found himself in, decided to leave his hand there, and he closed his eyes, allowing his head to fall back into the arm of the chair behind him that the two of them were propped up against. He gave a sigh, and found it pleasant to be sitting on the rug with Hermione. He took another breath, and felt his hand being squeezed gently.

`Hermione?' he asked quietly, looking down to see her stir slightly, and exhale slowly. She opened her eyes, and looked up at the upside down Harry, giving a smile, and closing her eyes again, giving Harry's hand another squeeze.

`Thank you Harry' she said, eyes still closed. Harry smiled, and gave her a gentle nudge to get up, finding part of him protesting against the action. She moved herself off Harry, and got up, helping Harry to his feet.

`Sorry, I must have hurt your arm' she said, motioning to his left arm. Harry gave it a stretch, and heard a few cracks here and there.

`No, it's fine. How are you?' Harry asked hesitantly. Hermione sat down in one of the chairs, and Harry followed suite. The curtains were still drawn, but faint sunlight was creeping its way in. The fire in the hearth was now reduced to red ambers, which sat and glowed dimly.

`I'm better. I just hope Ron won't hate me now, I never meant to hurt him' she expressed. Harry understood what she meant. He had to do the same thing with Ginny when he broke up with her.

The two of them went ahead, and got themselves showered and ready for breakfast. Harry found himself looking at Hermione, and noticing more and more of those things he should not be seeing, and kept mentally slapping himself out of it. Hermione was very quiet as they approached the Great Hall, and Harry tried to encourage her.

`Don't worry. Ron will bounce back. Just give him a little space, that's all' he said. She stopped, and looked back up the stairwell towards the East Tower longingly.

`Maybe I should just go and have breakfast up in the common room' she suggested, turning around slightly. He knew this shouldn't be as hard as she was making it. Harry, finding himself suddenly wanting to, grasped her hand, and turned her around. He found her hand, like it was up in the common room, was warm and small, and felt nice in his own. Harry's hand lingered in Hermione's, and he felt a slight rush when Hermione turned around, and squeezed back.

`Uh . . . Just come and have breakfast alright? You're going to see him sooner or later, and there's no point in avoiding him' Harry explained, laughing inwardly at how much he sounded like Hermione. Hermione looked down, and nodded slowly. The two moved towards the Great Hall, and stopped before the doors. Hermione looked over at Harry, and Harry smiled, only then noticing that he was still holding onto Hermione's hand. She smiled at him, and he quickly, and somewhat begrudgingly, let go. He couldn't really explain why, but his hand suddenly felt odd, placed against his side, like it wasn't natural. Meanwhile in his brain, he was beating himself up for thinking certain thoughts, reminding himself that she just broke up with Ron, and he should not be thinking of certain things.

When they entered the Great Hall, Harry wasn't surprise to see that Ron was absent. He looked and saw Hermione relax considerably as she noticed this, and she gave a placid smile, and the two sat down at the Gryffindor table. Once they were seated, and quietly started getting their breakfast, Harry began to notice how Hermione spread the jam on her toast. He never noticed before, but she did even this in a systematic way, moving from one side, and going down in straight lines. Harry smiled at her methodicalness and finding yet another one of her quirks, however his mind quickly changed tracks as he looked up towards the entrance. Ginny was coming into the Great Hall looking very unhappy, her eyes set squarely at Hermione. Hermione gave a sigh as the fire-haired girl sat down across from her, looking ready for a war of words. Harry had a feeling this would be bad.

`Is it true, you broke up with Ron?' she asked, sounding angry. Hermione, looking down at her plate, gave a single nod. Harry felt a pang at seeing Hermione like that, wanting to stand up for her to Ginny. `Why?' Ginny asked exasperatedly. Hermione shifted in her seat, and looked back at her plate. Harry relaxed, and remembered that Hermione was more than capable of standing up for herself.

`We're just too different, and I knew it wouldn't work' Hermione put simply, looking up tentatively for her reaction. Ginny seemed to be thinking about it for a moment, and Harry noticed her face relaxed its tension.

`Are you sure?' she asked, this time not sounding as upset, almost understanding.

`Yes Ginny. I'm sorry, but it's just how I feel. How is Ron?' she asked desolately. Ginny gave her a quiet look over for a moment, before answering. Harry looked around, and found at least ten people on either side of the group were listening. They noticed Harry's glare, and immediately went back to their breakfast at a fast pace.

`He's upset, but don't worry Hermione, he'll be alright. I wanted to see you guys stay together, but I understand. I think I just really wanted you to be my sister sometime in the future' she admitted, giving a little laugh. Hermione smiled, and looked up at Ginny.

`We are sisters, regardless' said Hermione. Ginny smiled, got up, and they gave each other reaching hug over the table. Even more people were watching the scene, and as Ginny left, waving goodbye to Hermione and Harry, people burst into conversation, some not bothering to hide their pointing fingers. Hermione sat back down, and seemed in a much better mood than before.

After finishing breakfast, Harry debated going to see how Ron was doing. He wondered if just leaving him alone might be the best course of action, however felt he should go and make sure he was doing alright. He said good-bye to Hermione as she headed towards the library, and made his way to Gryffindor Tower.

`Oh, well if it isn't our Head Boy. I must say, I haven't missed your late entries. I do hope you are treating Evander alright. Password?' the Fat Lady said to Harry. Harry smiled sarcastically at her comments.

`Together we stand' Harry said to the portrait.

`Indeed we do' the Fat Lady responded, her portrait opening and allowing Harry access to the Gryffindor common room.

Harry hadn't made a trip here since the beginning of term, and his absence must have been noticed. Upon entering, people called out his name, and came to welcome him eagerly. Harry said hello to Neville, Seamus, Dean, and a host of other friends. He still saw some of them in class, but since he spent a large amount of his time these days either in the library or the East Tower, he didn't see as much as he would like to. In the frenzy of greeting everyone, Harry noticed one face he didn't see, Ron's.

`Harry mate, you should go talk to Ron. Since last night he's just been shut up in his bed, all down and out with the curtains drawn. We were going to talk to him, me and Dean, but he threatened to hex us, so we left him be' Seamus said, pointing up to Harry's old dormitory. Harry looked up for a moment at the dormitory door thinking, then turned to Seamus, Dean, and Ginny.

`You guys up for a game of Quidditch?' he asked all of a sudden. Seamus and Dean looked confused over the question, however Ginny was beaming at Harry.

`Of course Harry. Only if Ron plays keeper, and I get a chance to whip your butt at catching the snitch' she added, giving Harry a playful punch in the shoulder. Harry smiled, and looked to Seamus and Dean, who were also smiling now, knowing the purpose of Harry's question.

`Sure mate! We'll get a few other people to play, upper year students, it'll be fun. We'll meet you out at the pitch' Seamus said eagerly. Dean nodded, and the two made their way up to the dormitory, coming back down a moment later with their broomsticks in hand. Students in the common room wondered what they were doing, and Seamus stopped in the middle of the room, and stood on one of the chairs so everyone could see and hear him.

`Quidditch scrimmage on the pitch!' he announced. Everyone cheered excitedly, and students threw down their books and homework. After getting their cloaks, they all moved out of the portrait hole and towards the Quidditch pitch. Seamus and Dean lead the way, and after everyone left, only Ginny and Harry were left in the otherwise empty common room.

`Great idea Harry. I hope he comes, I know it'll cheer him up being on the pitch again. He misses it. Good luck' she said, giving Harry a kiss on the cheek, and exiting with her broom, running to catch up with everyone else. Harry looked up at the dormitory, and made his way up the stairs and into the circular room, which now only contained four beds, instead of the usual five. As Seamus mentioned, only one set of curtains were drawn around one of the beds. Harry silently walked over, and sat down on one of the beds near the closed drapes.

`Ron?'

`Go away Harry, just leave me alone' the drapes answered angrily.

`Why?' Harry asked assertively. He felt if asking what was wrong wouldn't work, having Ron explain himself might work instead. It took a few moments before he talked.

`I just . . . Hermione broke up with me' he admitted. The words sounded painful for Ron to admit, however he did admit them.

`I know, Hermione told me. You just need to relax' Harry tried to encourage. Ron gave a cynical laugh.

`"Relax?" Harry, I've liked Hermione since third year! We finally start going out, and we break up after only three months' he said. He was right, Harry knew he liked Hermione since third year, or at least fourth year. Their little row the night of the Yule Ball made it clear, to Harry at least, that they liked each other.

`I know something that will make you relax, or at least cheer you up, if you want' Harry suggested, hoping he would be interested. Ron gave a huff in response.

`Com'on, everyone's waiting for you' Harry baited.

`Why would they be waiting for me?' Ron asked. Harry could tell he was getting interested, and pressed on.

`Well, you can't very well start a match without a captain, now can you?' Harry baited. He heard Ron move on the bed, and smiled when he opened the curtains quickly, looking around and finding Harry sitting on one of the beds. He looked puffy eyed and tired, but he had a light in his eye that Harry could tell was a small amount of excitement, sitting within the sadness.

`You didn't' Ron said, looking for reassurance.

`Com'on, all of Gryffindor house is waiting for Hogwart's best keeper' said Harry, getting up and giving his best friend a pat on the back.

`I don't want to play Quidditch' Ron pouted, returning to his depressed state. Harry laughed, knowing how much he was lying.

`Ron, you live for Quidditch. Just come on, get up and let out some steam, and have fun while doing it' Harry reassured. He did hope Ron would come. If Ron didn't play, then Harry wouldn't either, which means the scrimmage would probably not go. Harry looked down, and found Ron drawing out a long breath, and nodding his head, conceding victory to Harry. Harry even saw a hint of a smirk.

`I've missed Quidditch' Ron admitted, rubbing his eyes. `Oh, alright, I'll play!' he expounded all of a sudden. He was still wearing his clothes from the night before, and looked very sleepy, but he was quickly opening his trunk and pulling out his keeper gloves and broomstick. He turned around, and Harry laughed at the site.

`Maybe you should take a shower before coming' Harry smirked. Ron's hair was wild looking, standing up in odd places and giving him the look of a madman, and the clothes he wore were wrinkly from sitting in the bed. Ron looked down at himself, still holding his broomstick in one and his gloves in the other, and for the first time gave a little laugh.

`Yeah, I guess I should shouldn't I?' he commented. He threw his broom and gloves on his bed, and made his way to the showers.

`Just be quick!' Harry yelled, as he made his way back to the Gryffindor common room. He waited only a few minutes, taking a look out the window to see the people sitting at the pitch. Harry was surprised at how many people were going out, definitely more than just Gryffindor house. Once Ron was finished, and dressed for success, the two friends made their way out of the castle.

`Sorry Harry, about earlier. I'm just not feeling that good about Hermione . . . ` he said trailing off. Harry put his arm on Ron shoulder.

`Don't worry about it OK. Just try to have some fun with this, and feel better' Harry replied. Ron smiled back, although it was a little weak, and he looked at Harry.

`You're not playing?' he asked.

`Course I am!'

`Then where's your broom?' Ron asked. Harry laughed at himself, and took out his wand.

`Accio Firebolt!' he pronounced. Ron laughed.

`Could never forget that one.'

`It did save my life' Harry said, as a whistling could be heard, becoming louder. Harry scanned the sky, and found his broomstick flying towards him at a fantastic velocity. He reached up, and grabbed it out of the air, and the two made their way to the pitch.

When they entered the pitch, it was to a tumultuous roar from the crowd. A large group of students stood in the middle of the pitch, many with broomsticks looking eager to play in the little scrimmage. Ron looked stunned.

`I thought you said it was just Gryffindor house! This is almost the whole school!' he insisted. Harry laughed, and the two Gryffindors walked up to the crowd, Harry trying to use his Head Boy power for one of the first times.

`Alright, Ron and I are the captains. We'll pick our teams, and play. Everyone else, sorry, you'll have to play another time, but you're more than welcome to watch' he declared. Some students already looked downtrodden at the remark, however most looked even more excited.

The students spread out, and Harry and Ron picked their teams. Harry ended up with Dean, Colin Creevey, and a Ravenclaw boy, Stephen Cornfoot as his Chasers, Michael Corner and Andrew Kirke as his Beaters, and Megan Jones from Hufflepuff as his Keeper. Ron chose Demelza Robins, Seamus, and Cadwaller from Hufflepuff as his Chasers, Jack Sloper and Lisa Turpin, a member of Ravenclaw, his Beaters, and of course Ginny his Seeker. Ron and Harry decided to use Gryffindor colours, and coloured their teams' cloaks to distinguish each others players. Harry's team wore gold, while Ron's red.

They were about to get going, the rest of the hopefuls making their way up into the stands, when four tall men came marching onto the field, in the middle of them the short and stout woman Harry detested so much. She stopped in front of Harry and Ron, and her toad like face gave that smile Harry wanted so much to hex away.

`Well well, planning a Quidditch match are we? I thought I made myself clear when I banned you before Potter, but I guess you are still a little slow' Umbridge sneered, giving Harry an evil smirk. Harry's blood began to boil, however Umbridge didn't bother to notice.

`Now, disband all of you, and get back to the castle. The Headmistress will be interested to hear how her beloved Head Boy put all these students in danger' she explained gladly. Harry could feel his hands shaking, but looked around Umbridge's rather square frame and felt worry enter his mind.

It was Professor McGonagall, along with Madam Hooch and Hagrid, walking down from the castle. From this distance, Harry was not sure if the Headmistress was upset or not, however as she approached, Harry's worry increased as he saw her face. It was not happy.

`Potter, what on Earth are you doing?' she asked, not acknowledging Umbridge or her Auror cronies. Madam Hooch stood farther back, while Hagrid kept close to McGonagall, keeping a close eye on the Aurors. Umbridge glanced at Hagrid, and took a step back.

`Some students wanted to have a Quidditch scrimmage. I thought that it would umm, erm . . . help keep students happy, and um . . . school spirit. Some miss having Quidditch' Harry tried to explain. Professor McGonagall didn't have a chance to respond however, since Umbridge gave a triumphant laugh the moment Harry finished.

`Do you hear this boy! Non-sense! Everyone, back to your dormitories, and you' she said, pointing a stubby finger at Harry, `you will come with me.' Harry could see some of the students looking upset, and start heading back, however Professor McGonagall put her hand on Harry's shoulder, and stopped him from walking.

`Potter, I came to see what you were doing' she started, Umbridge encouraging students back to the school. `However' she stated, turning and facing Umbridge, `Thinking it through, I have no problems with your game. Madam Hooch, are you willing to referee?' she asked. Madam Hooch nodded happily, and turned to get her broom and the trunk with the balls.

Umbridge was of course, outraged. Harry was beaming, along with everyone else, at the prospect of finally playing Quidditch after so long. Students that were just a moment ago slumping their way back to the castle, were climbing the steps up to the stands eagerly.

`You cannot allow this!' Umbridge demanded, striding up and looking at the stern-faced Headmistress. Harry was worried as to what fallout this could have, the Aurors hands reaching inside their cloaks. He remembered the last time Professor McGonagall had to face Umbridge with her Aurors, when she was stunned and had to go to St. Mungo's. Harry however noticed Hagrid take a step forward, the Aurors eyeing him cautiously.

`I can, and will. You will place your Aurors that you lovingly brought with you around the pitch, and protect the students. Potter' she turned back to Harry, `next time, tell me in advance of any plans like this' she stated sharply. Harry nodded quickly, and Professor McGonagall turned and walked away towards a set of stands, Hagrid giving a quick smile to Harry, before turning and following McGonagall, giving the Aurors a glare. Umbridge stood in place looking astonished at McGonagall.

Harry turned back to his team, and began talking strategy, purposely not paying attention to Umbridge. When he looked up as Madam Hooch placed the trunk in the middle of the field, Umbridge and her Aurors were disbanding and moving to different exits from the field. Harry couldn't help but smile at yet another victory over Umbridge.

`As usual, a clean game. Oh how I've missed this' Madam Hooch said excitedly, as she looked at the teams.

`You're going down Potter!' Ginny yelled at Harry. He looked over, and found Ron smiling and looking eager at getting up on his broom. The balls were released, and Harry raced after the golden flicker of light high above him, Ginny right on his tail, as the crowd cheered.

*

The game ended up being a great thing for Ron, and the rest of the school. It was drawn out past lunch time, and Harry's team looked to be winning. However just as Harry's team advanced to one hundred and twenty points ahead of Ron's, Ginny made an amazing move for the Golden Snitch, and caught it right in front of Harry. Harry was trying to catch it, but the look on Ron's face made him glad Ginny got it before him.

The crowd celebrated loudly as Ginny, Ron, and the rest of his team did a victory lap around the pitch. By the middle of the match almost all of the school had noticed the scrimmage, and came down to watch, supporters of Ron's team waving around red banners, Harry's gold. As everyone started their way back to the castle, Harry caught up with Ron and the rest of his energetic team.

`Great match Ron!' Harry said. Ron turned, and gave a wide smile and patted Harry on the back.

`That was great Harry. Exactly what I needed' he expressed. They started back up to the castle, Harry thanking Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch, when he heard someone calling him over around the side of one of the stands. He bid farewell to Ron, Ginny, and the others, who were headed to Gryffindor Tower for a celebratory party, and found Hermione hiding behind the stands. She was peaking around the side, looking around at the students walking back up to the castle.

`Hermione, what are you doing?' Harry asked.

`Well, it was pretty obvious when your broomstick smashed through one of the windows of the common room and nearly startled me to death were it was going. I saw everyone here, so I came down and watched the match. Ginny beat you' she mentioned. Harry looked down and noticed that she herself had a banner, and scarf on. He made it a point to notice both of them were gold, and part of his mind was suddenly sidetracked in focusing on that fact. He noticed Hermione looking at him, and stirred his mind back to reality.

`Yeah, that was quite the roll she made to catch it. Caught me off guard. Anyways, what are you doing here?' he asked, motioning at the area they were now standing in.

`Well, I saw Ron all happy, and didn't want him to see me' she answered quietly. Harry rolled his eyes, and sighed.

`Please don't tell me you're going to avoid Ron forever' he questioned. Hermione looked a little upset at the comment.

`Well, I don't want him getting upset again. He was just so happy' she said. Harry could see she was getting a little emotional again, and tried to calm her down quickly, giving her shoulders a little squeeze, finding himself for the second time that day wanting to hold on to her.

`Don't worry about Ron, alright? He'll get better soon enough. I knew this would get him at least happy now, but he'll have to deal with seeing you sometime. Besides, it's not right for you to be feeling terrible all the time either, right?' he asked, looking right at her.

He knew it would be difficult for the trio's friendship to stay together after something like this, but he had to try and keep it together. Harry did not want a repeat of what happened in fourth year. Plus, he knew Hermione deserved better than always feeling terrible about what happened.

Hermione sniffed, and looked away for a moment, wiping her eyes, however looked back and nodded solemnly, looking at her feet which suddenly caught all her attention.

`You're right Harry. Sorry' she mumbled, glancing up to meet Harry's eyes once or twice, still enthralled with her feet, which she was moving around on the dry November grass. Harry lifted her chin up slowly, and gave her a smile, receiving a small one in return.

`Com'on, lets get some lunch' he stated. Hermione nodded, and the two walked up together to the castle.

They both ate in the Great Hall, and Harry encouraged Hermione enough to go to Gryffindor Tower for a few moments. There were enough people in the common room that Hermione was able to sit and talk to a few people, without having to really see Ron. Harry spent time with Ron, and the two had a good afternoon. Ron was noticeably happier with Quidditch still running through him. He, Harry, Seamus, Dean, Neville, and many others talked about their favourite Quidditch teams, and players, while enjoying the food and drinks some of the upper year students "knicked" from the kitchens. Harry noticed Ron look over at Hermione a few times, his smile disappearing, however he quickly snapped back into conversation.

Harry and Hermione both left at the same time, and went back to the East Tower. Harry had his lesson with Topher that night, and needed to prepare. Hermione was just feeling odd with Ron being in the room, and wanted to retreat to the peace of the common room, or the library. Harry found his preparation was not going well, his thoughts moving every direction, from the Horcruxes and Voldemort, to Ron and Hermione, and all the questions brought up by the memories he saw in the Pensieve. He felt, by time he started his way to the Great Hall for dinner, that seeing Topher tonight would be best postponed until next week.

After eating supper, Ron now present in the Great Hall, Hermione sitting farther down the table with Ginny, Harry made his way to the Defence classroom to let Professor Terrwynebas know. Harry was glad to hear that Topher was perfectly alright with it, since he had extra marking to be done anyways, and could use the time. Harry noticed how many of those old scrolls that he had been reading earlier in the year had made their way back to his desk top.

Harry went back to the East Tower, and again went for the Pensieve. He needed answers. Not just the questions Hermione brought up, about Voldemort's wand and the Hollow, but he hoped the next set of memories would tell him where his parents were buried, and more information on that last spell Voldemort cast. The look that crossed Dumbledore's face when he checked the last spell cast by Voldemort's wand still made Harry very uneasy.

`I thought you had your lesson with Topher?' Hermione asked, as Harry came back down. He hadn't noticed her on the way up, and carefully placed the basin on the table, making sure it was steady before responding.

`I need to get some answers first, and I can't think straight without them' Harry answered. Hermione put down her notes that she was writing on, and came over and stood next to Harry. She was in some simple muggle clothes, and Harry had to admit, he definitely noticed the difference to her usual Hogwarts robes. Hermione had to look at him and half-yell to get his attention.

`Harry! Back on Earth?' she said, giving a smile. Harry came back, and gave a quick smile, and snapped back to the shimmering bowl on the desk. Hermione gave him another look, and looked to the bowl as well.

`So, you just put your head in there?' she asked. Harry was reminded now that she never saw the Pensieve, and for once he was surprised she didn't know everything about it.

`Yeah. You tap the surface, and it shows an image of the memory you're going into. See' he explained, giving the iridescent silver surface a tap with his wand. The cloudy surface cleared, and showed a man, who could only be Albus Dumbledore, walking through a narrow corridor.

Hermione looked to Harry, and gave him a gentle pat on his shoulder. `Well, good luck' she said, backing away. Harry smiled, and looked back to the Pensieve, bending down slowly and allowing his face to break the cool water-like surface. Harry felt his feet leave the carpet of the common room, and after a few moments, he landed easily in a small and dark hallway.

Harry immediately had to start running to catch up to Dumbledore. He was walking at a very fast pace, moving down a series of these dark stone corridors, coloured amber from the lamps hung just below the ceiling. Harry finally reachedthe former Headmaster, just as he reached a heavy wooden door. Dumbledore grabbed the old brass doorknob, and pulled.

A tidal wave of noise hit Harry as the door opened fully. Harry looked in, and followed Dumbledore, finding a massive room, probably half the size of the Great Hall at Hogwarts, full of wizards and witches, goblins, and other creatures. Many looked old, very old, their grey and white hair reflecting their ages. All these people were sat along the sides of the walls, much like the room Harry had his trial in a few years ago, on tiered levels.

Dumbledore conversed with a short, portly man with thinning hair for a moment, before walking up to a central pedestal, facing a group of almost ancient looking wizards, halfway up the stands, sitting behind a grand and elegantly decorated desk, all wearing plum coloured robes with an elaborate silver "W" on the left. Once Dumbledore looked to the crowd, they became silent, Harry noticing how Dumbledore was reaching into his pocket.

`Albus Dumbledore, you have convened the Wizengamot, the Ministry of Magic High Council, and the Veneforbis Guard for an emergency meeting. I must say, this better be important' an old, yet stern looking wizard said, who was sitting in the middle of the Wizengamot table. Harry looked around, and found another group of wizards, wearing dark blue robes with a very small engraved "V" on the right side of their chests, sitting just below the Wizengamot. All looked quite mean to Harry, and definitely meant business. Harry looked to Dumbledore, as the old man cleared his throat quietly.

`Yes, I have convened you all at this late hour, that I do apologize for, however this news could not wait. Lord Voldemort' he started, almost everyone shuddering at the name, Harry taking notice that the men in the dark blue robes did not, `has attacked the house of James and Lily Potter' he began. A quiet uproar began, Harry hearing some commenting on how this had nothing to do with them, or how another attack meant nothing important, regardless of who it was. The man who first talked to Dumbledore tapped his wand, and a loud thud could be heard, reverberating along the ground. Wizards and witches all now calmed down, while the old wizard looked to speak again.

`Albus, I know you are the Chief Warlock of this council, but please tell me you asked for this council to convene for more than just explaining another attack' he began, sounding disappointed. Harry knew what Dumbledore would do next, and was not let down. Dumbledore slowly retracted his hand which had been kept in his pocket, and revealed the ivory coloured wand.

`This, is the wand of Lord Voldemort. He attacked Godric's Hollow, to kill the Potters. James and Lily were found dead, however their son Harry was found alive, Voldemort's wand sitting on the floor nearby' he explained. He had to raise his voice over the outpour of talking and conversation. The head wizard again tapped his wand, and the noise subsided. The old wizard stood up from his chair, and leaned forward, accentuating the bald spot on his head.

`What are you saying Dumbledore?' he asked.

`Lord Voldemort killed Lily, but she was protecting her son Harry, which protected him with her love. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, the spell backfired, and consumed him, leaving Harry very much alive, with only a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead!' he exasperated. Harry could understand, it would be a hard thing to explain, let alone believe.

`So you are saying, that You-Know-Who was defeated this night, by a little boy?' the elderly wizard asked. Many in the room exchanged whispers, but Harry could tell all eyes were now on Dumbledore.

`Yes! This is the wand of Lord Voldemort; he is dead!' he expelled. There was a brief pause, when complete silence enveloped the hall, then an overture of cheering ensued. Wizards and witches on the Wizengamot were clapping hands together, and many others in the hall hugged and cheered loudly. After discussing quietly with the other members, the head wizard again tapped his wand, the vibrations pulsing through the ground, and the hall slowly and unhappily came to quietness again.

`Albus, to prove this, please relinquish the wand to our expert, so he may authenticate it' the man said. A strange looking man came up from one of the lower levels towards the podium quickly, Harry smiling as he remembered the eerie moon-like eyes of the man who made his own wand, as well as the one Dumbledore was now giving to him.

`My word! It's true! This is the wand of He Who Must Not Be Named!' Mr. Ollivander spouted out happily, after examining the wand for a brief moment. Dumbledore accepted the wand back, and the hall once more erupted into cheering and excitement. Dumbledore bowed to the Wizengamot, and left in the midst of the cheering and hooting.

`You-Know-Who dead! - Potter boy defeats You-Know-Who! - Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived! - The Boy Who Lived!' Harry heard many of the wizards and witches saying on the way out, the named and titles created that day that still haunted him.

Dumbledore moved quickly out of the hall, and focused squarely on the doorway. He ignored the pats and cheering, and exited into the corridor. The hallway which stood empty before was now full of people running to let the world know the news. The memory shimmered, and Harry was transported to a dark and musty house.

Harry looked around, and knew he was in Grimmauld Place, before it had been cleaned. The floor was covered in dust, and the heavy drapes were closed shut, letting no room for sunlight to enter. Dumbledore made his way out of the room, which Harry figured was the library, since he could see the outline of bookshelves, and the two of them wound their way to the kitchen.

Once Dumbledore entered, members of the Order of the Phoenix were sitting around the table. Harry recognized Lupin, who was sitting next to a sobbing pile of a man, his head on the table. Dumbledore paced over to the man, and laid a hand on his back. The man snapped up, and turned around, Harry feeling an immediate white-hot anger.

It was Pettigrew, his normally watery eyes looking even more so due to his sobbing. Harry knew full well the reason he was crying was for the fall of Lord Voldemort, and not for Harry's parents. Harry felt disgusted by this show of fake sorrow, Dumbledore seeming to be fooled by it.

`It will be alright Peter' Dumbledore consoled the rat of a man. He continued to sob, and nodded. Harry gritted his teeth, and felt like trying to hex the man, even though it was a memory. Dumbledore turned, and moved to the other side of the table.

`How did Voldemort know where they were?' Lupin asked weakly, tears brimming on his grey eyes. Harry felt for Remus, having to visit the Hollow so soon after James and Lily died.

`He must have been told the secret' Dumbledore reasoned. Remus' tear filled eyes opened in shock to the statement, and gazed at Dumbledore, who now stood next to the fireplace, facing the small group.

`Sirius would never do that to James!' he expounded, getting up from his seat, his dark grey robes hanging off him unkemptly.

`How else would You-Know-Who know?' Dedalus Diggle asked, who was sitting in a corner of the kitchen, next to Sturgis Podmore.

Lupin looked astonished, however Harry could see the look of realization coming on his face, mingled with betrayal and sadness. Remus did not just loose one Marauder tonight, but two. He slowly sank back into his chair, his utter disbelief clearly present in his posture.

`Are you sure it was even You-Know-Who Albus?' an old, wheezy wizard said from the other side of the room, his silver hair contrasting greatly with the dim lit room. Harry remembered the man was part of the Advance Guard that helped him escape the Dursley's.

`Certainly' Dumbledore answered quietly, moving towards the table, and placing the ivory tinted wand on the table. Many of the Order members moved away from the table once they realized what was now laying on it.

`My word' one of the men in the room muttered, as everyone slowly moved back to their original place, gazing at the wand placed on the table. Everyone was quiet, Harry wondering if any of them were even breathing, when Pettigrew stood his round self up.

`I can't believe Sirius would betray James! I'm going to find him, and show him all that's left of his master!' Pettigrew yelled out, grabbing the wand, and making for the doorway. Lupin got up, and made to follow him, but Mad-Eye Moody, who was sitting next to him, laid a hand on his shoulder.

`Let `em be. The man can't duel worth a knut, and he doesn't know where Sirius is anyways. He'll be back by the morning' Moody advised. Lupin lowered his head, and nodded, again slowly taking his seat again.

`What of the boy?' a deep voice asked, who belonged to a tall and slightly beefy man who was leaning against one of the walls, his brown hair looking like he just got out of bed. Dumbledore started to pace across the front of the fireplace, and looked like he was on his way out.

`He will be kept somewhere safe, and protected. There is something though . . . I will be back' he said, moving around and coming next to Lupin, placing a hand on his back.

`Morn for our lost friends, yes, but rejoice in the demise of Lord Voldemort' Dumbledore said. He gave one more thoughtful look to Lupin, receiving a small smile in reply, and the silver bearded man walked through doorway, and again the memory shimmered around Harry.

The memory reappeared, and it took Harry a few moments to adjust to the lighting. Dumbledore was sitting at a desk, a very old desk, sitting in a exceptionally old room from the looks of things. Thousands of books of all shapes and sizes filled the wall shelves, which stretched into the darkness above, no ceiling visible. Scrolls and stacks of parchment and various other materials littered wardrobe and desk tops, except the one Dumbledore sat behind, which was noticeable larger than all the other desks. Harry looked around, and found the stacks of books and other knick knacks stood mostly at his eye level, and he could them leaving corridors and pathways leading around the room in odd directions. Harry couldn't find a doorway, or anyway in or out of the room for that matter.

Harry moved over to Dumbledore, and found him reading a old, but luckily legible scroll. Even luckier for Harry, it was written in English. Harry bent lower, and read it quickly.

The dark act of tearing and splitting ones soul, to prolong and last past ones normal time of death, is the quest of the wizard who wishes to create a Horcrux. The making of a Horcrux requires the direct murder of another human being, wizard or muggle, and is considered to most as the wickedest of magical creations. The act of murder causes the soul of the caster to be torn and ripped for all eternity. The soul will remain torn within the wizard, never again to be made whole. It is a mark of the act the wizard has performed, and a constant reminder to them for all their life.

The incantation to create the Horcrux is:

Evelloanimus Reponointus

Followed by the name of the object

Be sure you know the exact name of the object, so the spell will work correctly. Once the caster has done this, they should feel their life force subside, and may feel light headed, as the fragment of soul leaves their true body, and enters the Horcrux. The soul fragment, which will appear as a green cloud, will swirl around the object, and take its form, before inhabiting it.

Once this is done, the wand will stay focused on the object, unable to move. The curse must be completed by naming the catalyst. This is done by the incantation:

Expedio

Followed by the precise method to release the soul

When the soul fragment is released, it will find the nearest living creature, be it human or otherwise, and will inhabit their body, using its own life force to regain strength, feeding off of the creature's own soul. Once the Horcrux has acted fully, the creature or human's original soul will be destroyed, and the fragment soul will inhabit the living form.

Harry was frantic as he read, the same sentence repeating in his head. He wanted out of this memory, out of the Pensieve, as fast as possible. It was his luck that the memory shimmered again, and Harry felt himself lifting upwards, and rising out. His feet hit the solid ground of the common room, and he recovered his balance, seeing Hermione startled by his sudden return. She was sitting at the desk, a few small pieces of parchment sitting on the desktop.

`Harry, my goodness, you scared me' she said, Harry regained his composure, and gave her a quick look. All of a sudden, she looked very concerned, moving around the table quickly.

`Harry, are you alright?'

Harry didn't have time to answer. He was sweating, and panting, but had enough determination and energy to run. He turned, hearing Hermione calling after him, and bolted out of the common room, and into the hallway.

He was in a flat sprint, trying as hard as possible to get to the Headmistresses Office as fast as his legs would bring him. He had to talk to Dumbledore's Portrait. The sentences kept playing in his head, and his mind bent them into a very dark reality, the memory of Voldemort's last spell cast at Godric's Hollow playing in his mind, the green lightning bolt boring into his thoughts.

`Now, young Harry, our souls shall become intertwined' in Voldemort's hiss of a voice.

`No, he couldn't have' in Dumbledore's eerie whisper.

`The soul, which will appear as a green cloud, will swirl around the object, and take its form, before inhabiting it.'

Harry ran quicker. Times before, he always found himself right in front of the stone gargoyles before he knew it. Now it felt like they were purposely hiding on him. He turned what felt like the twentieth corner, and finally found the stone sentries, standing quiet in the empty hallway.

`Time Turner!' Harry yelled, hoping his volume would make them jump over quicker. The guardians jumped out of the way, and Harry bound up the moving stairwell, entering through the doorway as quickly as possible, not bothering to knock.

When he entered, he jogged quickly across the dark office to Dumbledore's portrait, hoping to see the man there. His heart leapt when he saw the silver beard, and the former Headmaster it was attached to sleeping in his portrait.

`Professor Dumbledore!' he yelled, trying to wake him. It worked, and he stirred, with almost all the other portraits as well.

`Ah Harry, I was expecting to see you sometime soon. Good that Minerva didn't hear you yelling in her office' he noted. Harry turned, and realized Professor McGonagall was not in the office. He was glad in a sense, since he wanted only to talk to Dumbledore, but would settle with the other portraits listening in.

`Is it true, about my scar?' Harry asked, getting right to the point. Dumbledore sighed, and lowered his head. Harry was trembling, in both anger and fright as to what the answer would be, although he had a feeling it would be the dark answer he already formulated.

`I see you have ventured into my Pensieve' he began, giving another sigh.

`It is Harry. I was not sure, until you started having flashes with it, and it reacted to Voldemort. Many thought it was just a scar, plain and simple, but none of them read the scroll, to which I imagine you saw the memory for. I am sorry I did not tell you Harry, however I kept it from you, much the same reason I kept the prophecy from you' he explained calmly, but sounding displeased with himself. Harry was too full of anger however, at being left out of yet another important piece of information. Dumbledore looked for a response, but not receiving one, continued.

`I felt that if you knew the truth about your scar, you would feel tainted, diseased, and unnatural. You know yourself who you are, and that your scar does not make you any different a person' Dumbledore said. He continued to look hopeful at Harry, however Harry was not going to give in.

Harry was filled with nothing but fury at his former Headmaster. He kept so many secrets from Harry, and expected Harry to deal with all this at once? Then he had to get himself killed, and leave Harry all by himself with no one to help him try and not only destroy these unknown objects hidden who knows were, but defeat the darkest sorcerer in the past half century.

`Harry please' Dumbledore pleaded quietly, the other portraits looking on quietly. Harry didn't bother looking up. He stood, and walked out of the office to the silence, not one portrait commenting. Harry walked down the steps, and back into the hallway, not caring how the portrait Dumbledore felt.

Harry walked along the corridors of the school slowly, and as silently as possible, his hands balled in fists. He wasn't worried about being noticed, but he felt like being quiet, his mind at a loss as to the true nature of his scar. He had it all his life, and in the matter of one night, his thoughts about it completely changed. Dumbledore was right, he was tainted, he was diseased with it. Harry felt like scratching at it, cutting it out, blasting it off with his wand right now, as fast as possible.

Harry looked up after a few minutes, and just like not finding the Headmistresses Office soon enough, he found himself in front of Evander all too quickly.

`Harry, you left in a hurry, are you alright?' he asked. Harry didn't even bother looking up.

`Just open' he demanded, disregarding the password. He expected Evander to ask for the password, however the portrait opened, and Harry didn't question it. He entered, and found Hermione waiting anxiously in the common room, leaning on the desk biting her nails.

`Harry! My goodness, what's wrong?' she asked, coming over, and placing a hand on Harry's arm. Harry simply stared off at the carpet, and made his way to one of the chairs, almost robotically. He fell into it, and Hermione knelt down in front of Harry, looking beyond scared, almost petrified at the blank look on Harry's face.

`Harry, what happened, tell me what is going on' she questioned, sounding concerned but forceful. Harry placed his hand to his forehead, but instantly removed it, feeling as if he would be infected by touching his scar. Hermione looked to his forehead.

`Is it your scar, is it burning, what is it Harry!' she demanded, reaching in closer, and looking straight at Harry, who's head was still hanging. He glanced up, and could not stop his chest feeling hollow at her look of concern. He looked back down, and tried to tell her, his mind still dark with the reality.

`My scar . . . `

`Your scar, what Harry?' she asked quickly. Harry took a breath.

`Is a Horcrux.'

Spell / Name Meanings -
Veneforbis Guard - L. veneficus: magical / wizard's, orbis: circle (Veneforbis Guard = Wizard's Circle Guard)
The Horcrux Curse, Evelloanimus Reponointus, and Expedio - L. evello: to tear out, animus: the soul, repono: to deposit, intus: within (Evelloanimus Reponointus = to tear out the soul, to deposit within [name of object])
L. Expedio: to release (how to release it)

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