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Shadow of the Serpent | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:Harry/Ginny Genres: Action/Adventure Warnings: Death, Extreme Language, Violence Story is Complete Rating: PG-13 Reviews: 537 Summary: **June Dumbledore Silver Trinket Award Winner for Best Angst, and May winner for Best Author** Harry is whisked away to an ancient island to be trained in Occlumency. What he finds is another complication to add to his already complicated life. Will friendship, love, loyalty, bravery, and honor be enough to save him from the Shadow of the Serpent that haunts his life? H/G angst/action adventure. Hitcount: Story Total: 152118; Chapter Total: 5192 Awards: View Trophy Room |
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Disclaimer: The characters and situations of Harry Potter depicted in this story are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner, and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made off this story. It is for entertainment purposes only. “Ehecailacozcatl Lives” Harry felt Ginny’s fear as the Death Eaters surrounded them and tried to send reassurances back. They had come too far now to lose it all in the end, and he’d be damned if he let the monster hurt any more of the people he cared about. Voldemort would have to kill him first. He drew upon the magic of the island and wordlessly cast the strongest shield spell around them that he could muster. It would protect them from almost everything but the unblockable spells like the Killing Curse and the Cruciatus. Stephen didn’t seem a bit surprised to see the enemy at their doorstep, and Harry had to wonder about that. He’d never gotten an explanation about that note Dumbledore had sent Stephen through Snape, and it had been in the back of his mind ever since. There was just something odd about that, in Harry’s opinion, but he didn’t have time to contemplate that now. There were other more pressing matters at hand. “How did you get here?” Harry asked coldly, knowing Voldemort well enough that he’d most likely enjoy gloating about his accomplishment. That might keep him distracted long enough for reinforcements to arrive, or at the very least give him time to think of a plan to get them out of here. “Now that is an interesting story,” Voldemort hissed casually as he surveyed the room with interest. He didn’t even spare the hostages a glance. “After our last meeting I was… shall we say, incapacitated — although I did fair better than my poor Nagini, just one more thing I intend to make you suffer for, Harry. But I digress… It was the actions of my loyal servant Demeter De’Leuvieres that saved me. He and his lovely wife found me in time to stop the bleeding from killing this body. It would have been inconvenient for me to lose this form now, but not insurmountable. As you know, it would take a bit more than a mere flesh wound to kill Lord Voldemort, isn’t that right Harry?” “You do have a nasty habit of surviving,” Harry said flippantly, ignoring the growls of protest from the Death Eaters that surrounded them. He felt Ginny flinch but didn’t move his eyes from the enemy. Keeping him talking was distracting him for now from killing them. “As do you,” Voldemort said coldly, meeting his eyes. “We are very similar, Harry. Both of us are very powerful wizards, both grew up as orphans without the comfort of a mother’s love. And we are both survivors. I think under different circumstances we might have gotten on well.” “You’re the one who made me an orphan, you bastard!” Harry yelled, enraged. “We are nothing alike.” “Details, Harry… merely details.” He said calmly then sighed dramatically. “It’s such a shame that it all comes down to this. We were so good together once — you were so very cooperative when you thought your little girlfriend was dead. Severus is an excellent potions master, wouldn’t you agree?” He snapped his fingers demandingly. “Severus, come forward and take a bow. You deserve Mr. Potter’s acclaim for the performance you’ve given. Such a loyal servant — to me, that is.” A figure stepped forward hesitantly and pulled off his hood, exposing the sour face of Severus Snape to the group. Hermione gasped, Ron growled, and Stephen looked like he wanted to murder the man on the spot. “I should have known it was you all along,” Harry said with pure hatred. “You probably told him everything the Order was up to, didn’t you, traitor? I bet you even told him about the lost Portkey and the password — you were there when we left, weren’t you, so you’d know how to activate it. How Dumbledore could have trusted you all these years is beyond me,” he said contemptuously. “You’re a liar and a coward!” “I, too, am a survivor, Potter,” Snape said coldly, looking down his hooked nose at him. “That is one of the greatest lessons I have learned from my Master.” “Severus has been very helpful,” Voldemort agreed, nodding approvingly at Snape. “He brewed the perfect Polyjuice potion for that poor, pitiful Muggle we killed in order to trick you into letting your defenses down last autumn, and he helped me come up with just the thing to subdue your connection to the girl so that you would think it was really your precious Ginny dying and lower your remaining defenses. You were weak then, Potter, and you’re still weak.” But Harry didn’t feel weak. In fact, he suddenly felt the opposite of weak. “That’s where you’re wrong, Tom,” he said feeling Ginny’s love and strength inside of him, and his friends’ love and strength all around him. “You’re on my territory now and you’ll soon know how much you’ve always underestimated me.” Voldemort laughed. “Arrogant to the end just like your father. He made a similar speech just before I killed him, as I recall.” “You’re a fine one to talk about arrogance,” Stephen interjected angrily. “You stand here with your dimwitted minions holding us at wand point while you make lofty threats. It must be easier to kill defenseless women, children, and Muggles than competent witches and wizards. That is your specialty, isn’t it?” Voldemort turned his angry red snake eyes on Stephen. Harry wanted to hex his mentor for taking the attention on himself, but he couldn’t really blame Stephen — he as much as anyone had a right to confront the monster who slaughtered his family. “Ah, Mr. Hunter,” Voldemort said coldly. “You and I have quite the history together — almost as much as Harry and I, wouldn’t you say? And to think I could have been rid of you years ago had Harry’s father and the blood traitor Black not rescued you from my snake pit just in time to save your miserable life. But I’m told it made a lasting impression on you nevertheless.” He laughed, conjuring a writhing, hissing snake from thin air and stroking it seductively. “I can be sure to repeat the experience for you one last time just before I kill you,” he promised with a chilling laugh that was echoed by the surrounding Death Eaters. Stephen stiffened but remained resolute, gripping his wand tightly. “You’ve terrorized enough, Voldemort. You’re reign of darkness ends today.” “My, my… we are a confident bunch, aren’t we?” Voldemort answered wryly. “You Gryffindors are all so boringly predictable — brave to the very end. We’ll see about that… Crucio!” he said almost lazily. Voldemort’s unexpected and powerful curse easily broke through the shield and hit Harry square on the chest. It was pain upon pain, made worse because he hadn’t seen it coming. Every nerve ending felt as if it was on fire and he tried to stop himself from crying out but failed miserably as he screamed. Even worse, his shield was shattered and the Death Eaters had picked up the gauntlet and were now exchanging curses with the others while Harry’s world exploded in pain. Beside him Ginny was also suffering because his mind was wide open to her and she was feeling the residual effects of the Cruciatus Curse almost to the full extent that he was feeling it. Harry wasn’t certain how long the curse had been on him — it could have been minutes, or hours, or days even. Time had no meaning, only the pain. And then suddenly, almost as if someone had flipped a switch, it was gone. Curiously, Harry found himself floating above the scene unfolding around him; he could see everything from an eagle’s perspective even as his body below was still reacting to the pain being inflicted by Voldemort’s curse. There was Ron shielding both himself and Hermione as she volleyed spells around him at the nearest Death Eaters within range. Tlaloc had stunned two Death Eaters near him to allow his pregnant wife to run to safety behind one of the statues of the Ancient Ones — he followed her and was defiantly shielding her from harm with his own body. Stephen stood firm where he was, holding his own by dodging curses right and left and then returning fire whenever he could. He had already vanished Voldemort’s conjured snake and was ruthlessly hexing and jinxing anyone in sight, trying desperately to get to Voldemort and stop the curse he was still inflicting on Harry — or rather his body. Even the teopati priests were fighting Death Eaters, although at least two of them had been struck down. Luckily about half the group of Death Eaters was ignoring the offensive attack and was focusing on protecting their master as he zealously inflicted pain on the two people in the centre of the room. Ginny’s screams tore at his heart and enraged him beyond belief. Harry barely had time to register the entrance of even more people into the fight — Dumbledore, Remus, Tonks, almost every member of the Weasley family save Molly and Percy, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and a feeble but feisty Tecuhtl along with a group of warriors led by Chac — when the tattoo on his chest erupted and his consciousness merged with the power of the Ancient Ones. Back in his body now, his eyes snapped open and he accepted the curse, drawing Voldemort’s power to him even as his body rose of its own accord. Eyes glowing green as emeralds and hair standing wildly on end, he had no idea how terrifying he looked — how he instilled instant fear in those who bore witness to this amazing and miraculous transformation. Voldemort tried desperately to break the connection, but Harry wouldn’t let him. He grabbed hold of the magic with his bare hands and commanded, “Tormae Viccus Aelea!” His voice rang out in the ancient, forgotten language of power. It reverberated off the walls and everyone stopped to stare at the scene unfolding before them in morbid curiosity, forgetting entirely about their own battles. Voldemort’s power was literally being ripped from his body, dragged from him by the connection of the Cruciatus Curse towards Harry who was letting it pool at his feet in a puddle of bright light. As the magic left him Voldemort’s body seemed to shrivel up like an old piece of fruit that had been left out in the sun too long. He lay in a heap, barely alive, nothing more than putrid flesh and brittle bones — an embodiment of the abomination that was his life. Voldemort’s magic crackled and sputtered at Harry’s feet and he lifted a hand over it, speaking more words of power. “Maguus Suume!” he said, pointing his finger upward. The light shot upward in a blinding streak of brilliance towards the opening in the temple above. Like a shooting star in daylight, it loped in the direction of the sun where it was finally absorbed in a brilliant blaze of light, so bright that the people looking up had to shield their eyes from it. Even the Muggles were sure to have noticed that, the part of Harry that was still his consciousness mused. He could just imagine the newscasters reporting on unusual solar flares and the scientists scratching their heads in confusion. The room was quiet as the occupants — Order Members, Death Eaters, and natives — all stared at him in awe and astonishment. Harry raised his hand again and multiple blasts knocked the remaining Death Eaters to their feet, magically bound… all but Snape. The potions master was left standing in the centre of a group of captured Death Eaters, staring at him defiantly. “YOU SHALL SUFFER THE SAME PUNISHMENT AS YOUR MASTER, TRAITOR!” his voice rang out as he raised his hand. But Dumbledore stepped in front of him, shielding Snape with his own body. “I cannot allow you to do that, Harry,” his trusted Headmaster said firmly. “There are things you do not know.” “I know he is a traitor and a murder,” he roared angrily. “His punishment shall fit his crimes!” He waved his hand over the group of Death Eaters and they all cried out in pain. “They will all be judged and punished according to their crimes!” “They will be given a fair trial according to our laws,” Dumbledore insisted. “I will see to this personally as Head Mugwump of the Wizengamot. Severus Snape is NOT a criminal. He has been working as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix for years and has committed no crime. The potion that the Muggle girl was given was the Draught of Living Death. Afterwards she received the antidote and a memory charm, and then was turned over to a Muggle hospital for care before returning to her family.” Stephen stepped in. “He’s telling the truth, Harry. Today’s confrontation was all arranged — we just didn’t know it would come quite so soon. That note I got just before we left warned me to be ready. We were still trying to come up with a plan to destroy the last Horcrux without harming you in the process before we brought him here, but you took care of that one on your own.” He looked over at Voldemort’s broken, useless body. “You did it Harry. It’s over. There’s no more justice to be had. Let the Aurors take it from here.” “Harry,” Ginny said gently from behind him, placing a hand on his arm, “it’s over. Come back to me, love.” “They hurt you and they will pay!” he insisted. “It is my duty to make them pay and not entrust it to foolish humans.” He turned his glowing green eyes on Dumbledore. “You have made mistakes, old man. Your Ministry has made even more mistakes. How am I to trust that you will see this done?” “You have my vow that justice will be done,” Dumbledore said calmly. “Please, Harry…” Ginny begged. “Please come back to me.” The only thing that mattered to him was Ginny’s plea. Slowly Harry made a reluctant decision and the power of Ehecailacozcatl faded, returning him to normal. The green glow left his eyes and his face grew more relaxed, as if a great burden had just been lifted from his shoulders. “You don’t do anything halfway, do you Potter?” Draco Malfoy scoffed from the sidelines. “Malfoy,” Harry growled raising his wand. “What are you doing here?” “Mr. Malfoy has also been working as a spy,” Remus said, looking at Draco with a mixture of loathing and begrudging admiration. “Once we found out that he had been given a mission we recruited him to keep us informed of Voldemort’s activities in exchange for amnesty. He has risked much to help us this year, although he has done it for his own gain in order to stay out of Azkaban like his father. He played a key role in orchestrating this trap, although things accelerated at a faster pace than we had anticipated causing us some delay in getting here. We should have been here earlier, Harry. Sorry about that.” “I’d say you arrived just in time,” Harry said, lowering his wand and shooting Snape a cold glance. “Any later and you’d be looking for a new Potions Master.” He eyed Snape with distrust, still not believing that the man was on the level, and he looked back, his face full of loathing. He was a survivor alright; he had played both sides brilliantly, and even now Harry wasn’t certain he had done the right thing by letting the slippery git off so easily. “Professor,” Hermione asked Dumbledore, motioning to the Death Eaters still magically bound and the barely alive form of Voldemort, “what is to happen to them?” “Their wands will be confiscated and they will transported directly into holding cells at the Ministry,” Dumbledore explained. “From there they will await trials and, depending on their crimes, appropriate punishments will be administered.” “What about Voldemort?” Harry asked, looking over at the beast with pitiless eyes. “What’s to be done with him?” “I think it’s necessary for the entire Wizarding World to see that he is no longer a threat,” Dumbledore answered gravely. “It’s the only way we can heal and begin to get past the damage he and his followers have caused. I, for one, will be pushing for his immediate execution.” “Not all of his followers are here,” Harry said, looking around. “What happens if the others decide to try and free him?” “That is why swift justice must be obtained,” he answered heavily. “I do not foresee a problem, however. I think the majority will be more than willing to bring closure to this tragic episode in our history. I’m certain your presence in the courtroom will be necessary, Harry. Do you think you will be up for that?” Harry nodded resolutely. “Absolutely. And if they don’t vote for execution, then I may have to take the law in my own hands,” he said darkly. “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Dumbledore said with a frown. “But if it comes to that, then I will be there to help you see that it is done.” “Me too,” Stephen added. “And me,” Ginny agreed. Hermione looked at Ron and he nodded his head. “Us as well,” she said definitively. Soon every Order member in the room was murmuring their pledge to see that justice was done. Masaya was whispering to her father and husband the translation of the proceedings which caused Tlaloc to tell Harry in Nahuatl, “We can see that these insurgents are restrained, Prince, until you can make other arrangements. They will be safe in our prison under the watch of my warriors. You have my word.” He bowed to Harry respectfully, waiting for his reply. “Thank you Tlaloc,” Harry said, inclining his head and releasing Tlaloc from his bow. “If it’s not too much bother, I think my friends and family would like to clean up and some food as well.” “I will see to it, Prince,” Masaya said, also bowing. He expressed his gratitude and she hurried off to make the arrangements as Tlaloc and his men gathered the Death Eater’s wands and then drew restraining bands around them to bind their magic while still allowing them some movement. Harry had learned that this was how the islanders controlled their prisoners since their magic bands could not be easily removed. Tecuhtl hobbled up, supported by Citlali and his son, Chac. He shrugged them off him and laboriously fell to his knees in front of Harry. “I beg for your forgiveness, Prince,” he said in a humble, regretful voice. A small tear slipped down his cheek as he spoke. “Our island belongs to your and your kin… we are your loyal servants. The Mixtec people can not express how grateful we are to you for all that you have done. We have witnessed great miracles today, and stories of your greatness will be told to our children’s children for generations to come.” Harry bowed to the chief. “Thank you Chief Tecuhtl. I accept your apology and your hospitality, although I fear that I may have been the cause of your troubles. If I had not tried to destroy the Imachi the Darkness may never have come.” “But he has seen to it that your people will never be bothered by the Imachi ever again,” Stephen interrupted, helping the chief to his feet. “The Tree of Life has been secured, Your Highness, and the hole to the Underworld has been plugged. I would be happy to give a first-hand accounting of these events for your official records.” “Thank you, Xolotl,” Tecuhtl said bowing shortly to him as well then turning back to Harry. “That would be most appreciated. Now… if you will excuse me, Prince, I feel the need to… return to my sick bed. I am not yet fully recovered… as you can see.” His voice was slow and laboured and his limbs shook precariously. Citlali and Chac steadied him. “Of course,” Harry said, dismissing him with a small bow. The remaining people in the room watched him go silently. When he was gone Ron whistled appreciatively, “You’re the new ruler, Harry. They really do think you’re a god! Did you hear what he said? This island is yours!” “You understood that gobbledegook?” Bill said. “I didn’t get any of that.” “Hermione did an Eavesdropper spell on us,” Ron told him proudly. “I understood everything he said perfectly.” “Do tell, little brother,” Fred said pulling him aside and followed closely by George and Charlie. “I think you need to fill us in on what’s been going on around here.” As Ron began to catch them up Bill, Remus, and Tonks also drifted over to listen in. “If it’s quite all right with you, Harry,” Dumbledore said, “I think I’ll return to the Ministry and make the necessary arrangements for the transfer of the prisoners.” He looked at Snape and Malfoy in particular as he said, “Anyone who wishes to join me in my return trip is more than welcome to accompany me.” The two Slytherins exchanged pointed glances and moved off with the Headmaster. “What’s Malfoy’s deal?” Harry asked Mr. Weasley. “Is he really working for the Order?” “As far as we know, yes,” Mr. Weasley admitted. “However, with both his parents now under arrest, he stands to have control of the entire Malfoy fortune. That’s strong motivation for ‘doing the right thing’ wouldn’t you say?” he said cynically. “Malfoy’s always only been out for himself,” Ginny commented, her voice bitter. “And I don’t trust Snape either. There’s something about those two that makes me doubt their loyalty, even now.” She glanced at Harry and he knew she had picked up on his feelings on the subject. “Snape’s a git,” Stephen said, “but from what I know of his role in this mess, he has done his best to help us and not commit any crimes while undercover. I had my doubts about him too, but after I saw what he did to help that poor Muggle girl I had to rethink my opinion of the man. I don’t know about Malfoy, though.” Harry sighed. “I’m tired of wasting energy talking about those two.” He sunk down on the marble slab and claimed Ginny’s hand, marvelling at the feelings that came with the contact. He had been so long without it these past few days that he wanted to savour every minute. “Are you okay?” he asked her. She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’m fine, Harry,” she assured him. “That was a close call, you git, but luckily it all worked out in the end.” “Ginny, darling,” Mr. Weasley said, coming over to the other side of Ginny and throwing a loving arm over her shoulder. “I’m so happy to see you well. I promised your mother that as soon as I knew something I’d let her know. Would it be okay if I went back home? I’d like to let her know that everything’s all right.” “Do what you need to do, Dad,” Ginny said, leaning into his embrace. “I know Mum must be going spare.” He sighed wearily. “Quite right, dear, quite right.” Catching Ginny’s wistfulness to see her mother, Harry asked Mr. Weasley if he could collect Molly and return to the island as soon as possible. Happily, he agreed, kissing Ginny goodbye and then shaking Harry’s hand firmly. He next went to tell the others where he was going, and Stephen moved off with him to arrange for the Portkey to take him back to Hogwarts. Soon after, Masaya came back and escorted the rest of them to special quarters within the temple where they could wash up before eating. *** Later that night after they had all washed up, changed into the finest island clothes and sandals the natives could produce, and feasted on a banquet of food, Harry led Ginny down to the moonlit shore. “Thank you for bringing Mum here, Harry,” Ginny told him, leaning her head into his shoulder as they walked lazily through the sand and tide. “I know it meant a lot to both my parents to see that everything is okay now. It was even good to see Percy again. I had no idea he was also working as a spy for Dumbledore within the Ministry, did you?” He shook his head. “No, I didn’t. But it does make sense. I think in the beginning he was probably lured in by Fudge’s lies, but then later realised what an idiot he’d been.” She breathed in deeply. “I feel so… free. Don’t you? It’s like a huge burden has been taken off our shoulders and now the rest of our lives are ahead of us and we can actually live.” “I know exactly what you mean,” Harry murmured, squeezing her hand gently. She stopped and her eyes reaching into his and piercing his thoughts. “You’re worried still, aren’t you?” she said. “Why?” “He’s not dead yet, Ginny,” he said, voicing the concern he’d been struggling with since that afternoon when he’d given into Dumbledore’s request and let Voldemort live. “I don’t think I’ll be able to actually rest until he’s truly gone and his followers either in the grave with him or secure in Azkaban. It just doesn’t feel like enough after everything we’ve been put through — after everything he’s done.” “You took his magic, Harry,” she said with a tilt of her eyebrow. “To Tom, that’s worse than death. He’s no more magical than a Muggle. Let him live for a few days with that knowledge. Personally, I think its sweet justice.” He smiled reluctantly. “That’s one way of looking at it I suppose.” He continued walking, pulling her along aimlessly and enjoying the warm summer heat together. “Your father said he talked to Dumbledore,” he told her. “The arrangements are being made to hold the prisoners and Voldemort’s trial will be first. It’ll take place day after tomorrow.” “What will happen?” she asked curiously. “What’s left of him will be brought in front of the entire Wizengamot including every Ministry official, the victims’ families that survived his attacks, and a horde of reporters. We’ll all have to be present to give testimony if needed, although I’m certain that it’s me they’ll want to talk to. From the sound of it, the entire world is going to be there. Your dad says they’re already celebrating, just like before. I dread going back to that, but at the same time I need to finish this. And I meant what I said to Dumbledore… If they don’t do the right thing then I’ll take matters in my own hands. Either way, he’ll be out of our lives for good.” “I look forward to that day,” Ginny said wistfully. “What will you do then, Harry?” “I’ve been thinking about that, too,” he admitted with a sly smile. “I missed the entire year, didn’t I? I’ve been thinking about hiding out at Hogwarts for the next few years with you until all the hoopla dies down. We still have our secret room there, and Ron and Hermione will still have one year left. I’d love to have nothing more to worry about than lessons and winning the House Cup. Do you think I could get my position back on the Gryffindor House Team?” She chuckled. “Considering how dismal we did without you this year, I don’t think Ron would have a problem with that. Besides, technically you’re still captain. Ron always told the team that he was just standing in for you until you were back with us.” That news warmed his heart. Ron had always been such a loyal friend to him. It was time he returned the favour. “I think Ron should keep the captaincy next year. He deserves it.” Ginny smiled. “I think he’d like that.” “Ginny,” Harry said hesitantly, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things recently. I never figured I’d get this far, you see, but now that I have I can only see one possible future for me.” Alarmed, she stopped, her eyes searching his face for clues about what he was talking about. “What is it, Harry? What do you want?” “I want you,” he said, feeling her relax. He leaned in close, smelling the sea mist and salt in her hair. “The only future I can imagine is one where you’re right there by my side.” She looked up into his eyes, the love inside her heart shining through. “I’ve always been by your side, Harry,” she said with confidence. “And I always will be. You’re mine and I’m yours forever. From here on out our lives belong to no one but each other, and I intend to live Harry. I intend to live my life to the fullest, being grateful for every moment I get to spend it with you.” He sighed contentedly, knowing that she had voiced that much better than he ever could have. There was only one thing left to do. He bent down on one knee and took her hand in his, looking deeply into her eyes. “In that case, Ginevra Molly Weasley, I think your family might like it if we spent our lives together as a married couple after we leave Hogwarts. Would you… would you do me the honour of being my wife?” “I…,” she blushed, shocked and blissfully happy all at the same time. “Yes, of course I will.” Her eyes grew wide as he waved his hand over hers and a beautiful ring appeared there. He watched her face for a reaction as she stared at it, stunned. “It’s extraordinary, Harry!” she gasped, sinking down beside him and pulling him in for a searing kiss. “It’s exactly the kind of ring I’ve always dreamed about.” He smiled mischievously. “I know,” he admitted. “I sort of peeked.” She hit him lightly on the arm. “That’s cheating, you prat!” But then she sighed happily as she looked down at the perfect expression of his love. “I love it, but not as much as I love you.” His eyes grew serious as he leaned in for another heart-stopping kiss. “I love you too, Ginny,” he whispered. “And I’m looking forward to living, so long as you’re there to share it with me.” “Together,” she said, melding her soul into his. “Together,” he agreed. *** [A/N: Epilogue to follow soon.] |
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