It took Harry less than 5 minutes to run from the Great Hall to Dumbledore's study. He quickly made his way to the pensive and dropped the memories into the bottom. He dunked his head inside and was immediately dropped into an image.
Harry gasped as he broke the surface, escaping the world of memories he had just experienced. His legs gave way and he collapsed as his mind processed everything he had witnessed and reality struck him between the eyes. He was a Horcrux. This whole time, he had been living with another being inside him. Every time he had connected with Voldemort, his ability to use parseltongue, it had been because deep inside was a piece of Voldemort.
Suddenly, a new reality hit. Since he had met Dumbledore, he had been fated to die. Dumbledore, the man he had trusted and loved, had been leading him to a path of sacrificial slaughter. He had been used.
Nonetheless, he would do it. He had to do it. If this was how to rid this world of Voldemort, he would die thousand times over. He would not do this for Dumbledore. He would do this for Tonks and Lupin, Fred, Sirius, the Longbottoms, Mad-Eye, his Parents, for all the others who had died, and for Hermione.
Eventually, Harry regained feeling in his legs and he was able to stand up. He looked around at the room he had become so familiar with. All those meetings with Dumbledore, only to end up here. Here, the beginning of the end, his starting point for his last journey.
Harry soberly walked towards the door. He turned and once more glanced around the room, turning and shutting the door behind him. He walked possibly the slowest he ever had, his death march moving at a feeble rate. There was no pain now, just understanding, dread, and yet determination. This was his destiny, and his to do alone.
He had reached the stairs. He took them one at a time, admiring the walls of the most magical building in the world. A place he had grown to take for granted before the past year. The one place he had felt at home. Hopefully his resting place. The castle was still deathly still, the portraits empty as their inhabitants helped in other areas of the fortress.
As he began the descent of the final stretch of stairs he noticed two people sitting at the end of them. He had hoped to avoid everybody, but these two in particular. They would make things even more difficult.
Hermione and Ron looked up at him as he came down, tears in everyone's eyes.
"Hey mate, we had started to worry about you," Ron said with a small smile and a chuckle.
"Harry? What's wrong?" Hermione asked quietly.
"I just watched Snape's memories."
"What do we do now? What's the plan?" Ron asked expectantly.
"Now, I go into the Forest, alone, and give myself up."
"What? No, you can't do that. You can't, not after everything we've been through! You can't quit!" Ron yelled.
"I'm not quitting. There is a reason I can hear them, and I can see into his mind, and speak parseltongue. I've had my suspicions for a while, and I think Hermione has too. I'm not quitting, I have to do this, for you guys, for everyone."
Hermione was quietly crying now. She jumped up and ran into Harry's arms.
"You don't have to do this. You don't have to die, we can find another way. There has to be another way!"
"Yes I do, this is the only way. Please, don't ask me to stay. I have to go." Harry fought the tears and lost.
Hermione sniffled and looked up into his eyes. She leaned forward, kissing him deeply. Harry kissed back, putting every ounce of his love for her into it.
Hermione pulled back and with one last lingering look stepped out of the way.
Next was Ron. Harry stuck out his hand and Ron took hold of it.
"You've been my best mate all these years. Now I need one more favor. Take care of her, watch out for her. Please."
"You know I will. You don't have to do this alone."
Harry smiled and one final tear fell, "Yes, I do."
He let go, gave them a weak smile, and turned around, walking out the door.
The grounds were dark, the air was crisp. He followed the path along the hills, reflecting on memories made on these same grounds. He reached the edge of the Forest and hesitated for one moment. Once he stepped inside, he could not go back.
He took a large stride into the Forest and pushed forward. He felt oddly at peace as he walked. When he entered the woods he reached into his pocket, pulling out the golden snitch.
He read the words I open at the close and he understood. He lifted it to his lips, and it opened revealing a small stone enclosed inside. He grabbed the stone, closing his eyes as he did. There was a swoosh, and Harry knew he was no longer alone. He opened his eyes and saw his parents, Sirius, and Lupin all around him. They weren't quite like their human selves, but shadows.
"My beautiful boy" Lily began, " How well you have done. I'm so proud of you."
"I'm sorry, I never meant for this to happen to you, any of you," Harry said desperately directing the last part at Sirius, his Godfather, and Remus.
"It was worth it. You were worth it" Sirius assured him.
"Does it hurt very much?"
"Like falling asleep."
Harry directed his gaze towards Lupin, "What about Teddy?"
"One day he will know that his parents died so he could have a better life," Remus said confidently.
" It's time son." James reminded.
"But I've missed you all so much."
"You've been so strong, you're almost there."
Harry looked around him, admiring each one for a moment at a time.
"Will you stay with me?"
"Until the end" They replied in unison.
Harry began walking once again, this time joined by his family.
Within moments, he had reached a clearing at the center of the Forrest. There were Death Eaters milling about in every direction. In the middle, his back turned to Harry, stood Voldemort unaware his mortal enemy had arrived.
Harry closed his eyes and dropped the stone. He felt a woosh and knew that his family was no longer visible but still with him. He intentionally stepped on a stick, producing a loud crack. Every eye turned including Voldemort.
Voldemort eyed him cautiously before breaking into a wide grin.
"Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, come to die. To be honest, I had started to worry I was wrong about you, that you wouldn't come. But I know you all too well, Dumbledore, that fool, trained you well," Voldemort stated with a smirk.
Harry stood silent, waiting, anticipating the moment he would die.
"Nothing to say? Fine. AVADA KEDAVRA!"
A flash of green hit Harry and lit up the entire clearing, Harry's body crumpled to the ground.
END OF PART 2
---------------
That's Part 2!
Harry Potter is dead! Hehehe
Now the time has come........
Sorry, it was too easy to quote the movie :)
Part 3 drops tomorrow!
See ya then!
-JRich
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Promise Me
FanfictionSirius Black is dead, Bellatrix Lestrange is escaping, Lord Voldemort is coming, and Harry Potter's whole world is collapsing. The closest thing he has to a father is gone, and his next confrontation with Lord Voldemort brings about new feelings fo...
