The Battle For Hogwarts

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter 13: A Trip Down Memory Lane

"You're not supposed to be here." Tom says.

"Oh, you can see me? Your occlumency must be strong then."

"Your legilimency has my respect. After all, you did enter my mind by surprise."

"The Dark Lord respects me? Unbelievable."

"Maybe you could join us, hmm? You're a Grindelwald after all."

"I'll never make the same mistake my father did: becoming your follower!"

He throws you through the door with his mind.

"You're in trouble, young Tom!"

"Don't speak to me like you're my mother! You don't even have a mother!"

"Shut up! You don't have a mother as well! Confringo!"

He gets thrown outside the window and falls outside into the streets. You head downstairs and follow him.

"You dare attack a child?"

"I know you're not a child, Tom."

"Only Dumbledore gets to call me Tom!"

He throws you into the building at the end of the street and everything fades away as the scene changes. It was a like slumberous state in the mind of Voldemort so you grab around for anything to hold onto. It feels like you're falling but you're sitting on solid ground.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Oh, you'll see. Very soon."

Everything solidifies and you see you're holding onto a railing.

"Notice anything familiar, child?"

"No! This is my house!"

"Ah yes. I love it when realization hits."

"No, no, no! Mom!"

You rush to the room upstairs. As you enter, you see the ghastly scene. Your mother on the floor, not moving with Grindelwald standing over her.

"No! Mom! What did you do, father?!?!" your voice comes out and it sounds childish but your lips are closed shut.

Grindelwald turns around, his tear-stained cheeks and red-tinted eyes staring right at you.

"Father?" your voice comes out again.

He doesn't say anything. The sound of rain and thunder outside is the only thing breaking the silence between your words.

"Father! Why don't you answer me!?!? What did you do to mom!?!?"

He aims his wand at your head. You fall down, frightened at what Grindelwald will do. It takes him a solid ten seconds until something finally comes out of his mouth.

"Goodbye, child."

He lowers his wand and apparates, disappearing into nothing. Back then, he didn't have the trail of a Death Eater. He didn't have the Dark Mark. He was your dad. Your father. And he was a good one at it. Whatever overcame him that night, only he knows. Maybe you could ask him after all this was over. For now, your body moves towards your mom's cold corpse.

"Mom! Please answer me! Mom, are you ok?"

She just lies there. No movement, no reply, no pulse, no color in her eyes, no life. She was gone and you know it but you decide to be ignorant, thinking it'll be alright and she would be fine. Then the scene changes again and you're back at the orphanage.

"How was the trip down Memory Lane, hm?"

"Mom..." you look down at the clothes you're holding. The clothes your mom last wore.

"How about this one, eh?" Tom says, changing the scene again.

This time, you were in a house. A different house. It was darker and you were in a very thin hallway, holding a pair of scissors.

"Not this one! No!"

"Yes. Let us watch what happens."

"No! Get me out of here!"

You slowly creep towards the kitchen. Inside was a woman you recognized as your aunt. She turns around and sees you in the doorway.

"Hey kiddo! Did you get the scissors?"

You look down at the scissors. The thoughts enter your head like your young self was thinking of it.

I've been here long enough. I'm sick and tired of everything. I want my mom back! I want everything back! Back to normal!

Rage and sadness engulf you and you charge at your aunt.

"No!"

You think of a happy memory. A memory you and your mom had together. You close your eyes and you feel your hands fall beside your waist. You open your eyes and you're under a tree in a meadow, sitting down, legs spread outward, your mom in your arms. It was sunny outside and your mom gives you her cap.

"There you go! So handsome!"

You look down at her.

"I miss you, mom." you say, but she doesn't seem to hear it and instead, a giggle comes out of your mouth. She smiles at you.

I miss you too. You hear a voice in the background.

You twist and turn your head around to see where it came from. Nowhere. You see nobody.

I'm always here for you, my sunshine. The voice says.

It was enough to make your eyes tear up. She's here and she heard you. You start crying tears of joy. You've heard her voice again. So beautiful and clear.

Forgive your father, for I have done the same.

"I will, mom! I promise for you!"

I'll see you around. Stay positive and be a good wizard!

You smile as tears fall down your eyes.

"See you, mom!"

The scene changes to your first time on platform nine and three quarters. You're alone until Hagrid arrives. You wipe the tears on your cheeks.

"It's ok, young wizard. Don't cry. I'm here, you know? Yer mom and I were good friends. She told me to take care of you when she was gone. And here I am! Condolences, kid. We better hop on the train."

You get in.

To be continued