Phoenix Ascending: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 2: Unravelling Fate

Harry sat there patiently, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief, as Lady Persephone continued her explanation. The room seemed to shrink around him, the once-comforting glow of the golden-yellow walls now a stark contrast to the dark revelations unfolding before him.

"Harry, you and Tom Riddle are connected in ways that you have never fully understood," Lady Persephone began, her voice gentle yet firm. "Dumbledore feared you from the start. He saw in you a power that could challenge his own carefully maintained authority. To eliminate two threats with one move, he manipulated Tom into believing the prophecy was about him and you. Given his reputation as the defeater of Grindelwald, no one dared to question his interpretation of events—not even you."

Harry's heart pounded in his chest as Lady Persephone's words sank in. "Dumbledore orchestrated the deaths of your parents that night. He attempted to kill you and failed, leaving you with the Dursleys to ensure you grew up weak and easily controllable."

The betrayal stung deeply. The man he had trusted above all others, the one who had guided him through the darkest times, was now revealed as the architect of his greatest suffering. Harry felt a surge of anger and sorrow, a tumultuous mix of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

Lady Persephone continued, her gaze steady and compassionate. "You might be wondering why you carried a fragment of Tom's soul if he didn't attempt to kill you directly. The truth is, Tom was there that night, but not with the intent to kill you. He sought to strike a deal with your parents, and he succeeded. However, when Dumbledore intervened, things took a darker turn."

Harry's eyes widened, struggling to process this new information. "Dumbledore attacked you that night, and Tom, in a desperate bid to protect you, placed himself between you and Dumbledore's curse. In doing so, a fragment of his soul attached itself to you. Dumbledore then spun the narrative to suit his needs, creating the divide between good and evil, and positioning himself as the great leader of the light."

The room seemed to grow colder as Lady Persephone spoke. "Dumbledore was also responsible for the imprisonment of Sirius Black and orchestrated Remus Lupin's departure from the country. He manipulated events to maintain control and ensure his vision of the future prevailed."

Harry felt a wave of nausea as the weight of Lady Persephone's divulgence settled over him. His entire life had been a carefully constructed illusion, a series of manipulations and lies designed to control and shape him. The man he had revered as a mentor and protector was now exposed as the architect of his deepest pain.

Hermione reached out to Harry, her hand trembling slightly as she sought to offer comfort. He grasped her hand, drawing strength from her presence. Despite the chaos swirling in his mind, her touch anchored him, providing a semblance of stability in the storm of his emotions.

The revelation that their lives had been manipulated by a man they had revered left them speechless and deeply shaken. The magnitude of the deception was almost too much to bear. As they struggled to process the information, a burning question lingered in their minds: Why were they being told this now, after everything had happened, when they had no control over the past?

Lady Persephone seemed to sense their unspoken question. "You two are assigned a task," she explained, her voice carrying a weight of solemnity. "You will travel back in time to correct the timeline and fulfil the true prophecy. There is a reason you have been chosen for this assignment, and that reason will become clear in due course. Don't worry, you will have help when needed."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, their shock slowly giving way to a sense of determination. The idea of travelling back in time was daunting, but the opportunity to right the wrongs and uncover the truth was too important to ignore.