The Daughter of Sirius Black

Chapter 123

"You can't help. Harry, you wonderful boy," came the familiar voice of Albus Dumbledore as Harry looked up from the dying creature that was hidden under a white bench, almost as if it was trying to hide from the brilliant white light that illuminated the place they were in. A place Harry was still unsure of.

"You brave, brave man," Dumbledore praised. "Let us walk."

And where most would tell you not to walk towards the light at the end of the tunnel, that was exactly what they did, Harry still locking back at the bench where the creature was hiding. A creature that looked somewhat similar to the Dark Lord.

"Professor, what is that?" Harry asked, curiosity getting the better of him as they both stopped to look back.

"Something beyond either of our help," Dumbledore answered before they kept walking. "A part of Voldemort sent here to die."

"And exactly where are we?"

"I was going to ask you that. Where would you say that we are?"

Harry scanned their surroundings, the stark white surroundings that resembled a very familiar place.

"Well, it looks like King's Cross Station. Only cleaner. And without all the trains," Harry answered.

"King's Cross, is that right? This is, as they say, your party," Dumbledore said cryptically. "I expect you now realise is that you and Voldemort have been connected by something other than fate, since that night in Godric's Hollow all those years ago."

"So, it's true then, sir? A part of him lives within me, doesn't it? It's why I had to die and why Rosalee was so mad at you."

Dumbledore remained unphased by Harry's words as he said, "Did. It was just destroyed many moments ago by none other than Voldemort himself. You were the Horcrux he never meant to make Harry. And as for Miss Black, she has always been so fiercely protective of those she loves. I do not blame her for her anger towards me. The poor girl has lost too much already. Almost did in the battle as well."

Harry wanted to press on about what happened to his sister during the battle as Dumbledore sat down on another bench, but he was struck by another realisation as he sat as well.

"I have to go back, haven't I?" he asked.

"Oh, that's up to you," Dumbledore said and Harry's eyes widened.

"I have a choice?"

"Oh, yes. We're in King's Cross, you say. I think, if you so desired, you'd be able to board a train."

"And where would it take me?" Harry questioned and Dumbledore's eyes brightened.

"On."

And Harry could hear the whistle of the train in the distance as Dumbledore stood up from the bench, stopping a few paces away to stare at the bright light, the beyond.

Harry stood.

"Voldemort has the Elder Wand."

The older wizard simply turned, hands still clasped together.

"True."

"And the snake's still alive."

"Yes."

"And I have nothing to kill it with," Harry said almost hopelessly.

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts, Harry, to those who ask for it," Dumbledore said kindly. "I've always prized myself on my ability to turn a phrase. Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it," he said as he closed the distance between them step by step. "But I would, in this case, amend my original statement to this...help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it."

Harry only stared at his professor as he tried to comprehend what he'd just said.

And then Dumbledore began to take slow steps backwards as he said, "Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living. And above all, those who live without love. Which reminds me," he said as he paused his movements. "An answer for your sister and her lover. Love. Love is the most powerful type of magic in existence, and one even I don't completely understand. But in the hands of someone as powerful as Miss Black, I believe the love she has for Mr Weasley could conquer almost anything."

Harry's brows were furrowed in deep confusion.

"I don't understand," he said, and Dumbledore only smiled.

"But they will. I'll be going now Harry," he said as he began to walk away.

"Professor!"

Dumbledore turned to the boy, who still looked as confused as ever.

"Is this all real? Or is it just happening inside my head?" he asked.

"Of course, it's happening inside your head, Harry. But why should that mean that it is not real?"

And Dumbledore faded into the light as Harry called out, "Professor? What should I do? Professor?"

And Harry was left alone.