Harry Potter and the Legend of the Twelve

Twists of Fate

Seven days after the incident that left Albus unconscious, little had changed. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Sirius, and the New Marauders, save one, all took turns spending time with Albus. The lone exception, Carly, had not left the Hospital Wing since the day it happened.

When Carly woke up later on November first, she went and sat on the edge of Albus's bed and held his hand. Since that time, she had spoken to no one, and not cried once. She just sat on his bed and held his hand in silent vigil, a blank look on her face, as if a Dementor had sucked out her soul. On the few occasions that sleep began to overtake her, she pushed a bed close to Albus's and lay down, still holding his hand across the space between the beds. Even when she woke, she was still holding his hand, as if her grip would not loosen, even in sleep. House elves would bring her food, but she would just nibble at it. It was as heart breaking for them to watch Carly, as it was to see Albus lying there unconscious.

Harry and Ginny let Carly stay with Albus, knowing that nothing short of a stunning spell would move her. They thought it was good for him to have her near. Nothing that was tried to revive him was successful, and the Healers had finally decided they could do nothing but wait.

It was November eighth. Hermione had taken over Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, and Ron was tending to Flying classes and Quidditch Coach duties. Harry and Ginny were in no condition to teach.

On this day, as the sun was setting, Harry was at the top of the Astronomy Tower, looking toward the sunset. It was the first time Harry had climbed the Astronomy Tower since the night twenty years before when Albus Dumbledore died and fell from the very spot on which Harry now stood. He could almost feel his presence in the place he had died.

Harry stared out over the parapet not really looking at anything. The pain in his heart every time he thought of the scar on his son's palm, threatened to overwhelm him. All he wanted was his sweet little boy back. He would take him, scar and all, and deal with what was to come, if he would just wake up.

"I wish you were here, Professor," said Harry softly. "I could really user your guidance right now."

"I'm not Professor Dumbledore, but will I do?" asked an unmistakable voice from behind Harry. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"I would really rather be alone, Padfoot," said Harry softly.

"Sounds like you've been doing a lot of being alone lately. Ginny said you hardly have spoken to anyone in a week," said Sirius. "Maybe it would help to talk about it."

"Talk about what?" asked Harry. The flat, cold tone of his voice bothered Sirius almost more than the distant way he had been acting. Before Sirius could respond, Harry continued. "Sure, Sirius, let's talk. Nineteen years ago, I defeated the worst Dark Wizard the world has ever known. I dropped a stone of untold power in the Forbidden Forest assuming, since I didn't know where it was, no one could ever possibly find it. Nineteen years later, my son defends his girlfriend from an attack, and I give him detention for it. Are you with me so far Sirius?" Harry didn't wait for Sirius to speak. "Good, I wouldn't want to go too fast. My son finds the stone I said no one could ever find. He sits down to do his homework, and is now marked with a scar by the worst Dark Wizard the world has ever known. So tell me Sirius, how is it not my fault? I'd really, really like to know, because I for damn sure can't figure out how it isn't my fault."

"You've got to be strong, Harry," said Sirius.

"You know what, Sirius?" said Harry angrily, turning to face him. "I feel like I've had to be strong my entire life. Maybe I'm tired of being strong. Maybe I just don't want to be strong anymore. Maybe I just want my little boy back."