This Could Be The End Of Everything

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. The quote used in the chapter is from the song ‘Even Angels Fall’ by Jessica Riddle. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Authors Note: Thanks once again to my wonderful beta readers carlee waldrop and WendyinOH. So this is the last chapter. I liked writing it and I hope you enjoy reading the conclusion.

Part Three…

“God knows even angels fall.

No such thing as you lost it all.”

- ‘Even Angels Fall’ by Jessica Riddle

The doors to the room opened and Albus Dumbledore walked in flanked by several Death Eaters whose wands were drawn and trained on him. Despite the armed guard Dumbledore looked utterly unconcerned with the situation and complied with the guards’ commands. Lucius Malfoy stepped forward from the shadows at the foot of the dais coming to a stop close to Dumbledore, contempt flickering briefly across his face. He looked Dumbledore up and down and then he smirked darkly, his face alight with unholy amusement. “The Dark Lord has a surprise for you; he hopes you’ll enjoy it,” he sneered then stepped back, his face once again blank. “My Lord bids you welcome and commands that you wait here for him.”

The doors to the left of where the group stood were flung open and in walked the figure of Tom Marvolo Riddle, straight from his seventh year at Hogwarts, and a couple of paces behind, looking distinctly uncomfortable, followed Harry Potter. Dumbledore’s face fell; it appeared that the only hope the Light had against Lord Voldemort had been their betrayer. Harry’s pain filled eyes flickered towards him and then he dropped his gaze and they stayed glued to the floor as he trailed behind Tom, who moved towards his throne. Instead of climbing the steps up the dais to his throne, Voldemort paused before Dumbledore, his face alight with his triumph, making him more handsome than usual. Harry stood next to him, his eyes downcast refusing to look at Dumbledore.

“Dumbledore,” Lord Voldemort said looking amused. “How… pleasant of you to stop by.”

“Hello Tom,” Dumbledore replied focusing on him. “You seem to be doing well.”

“Say hello to the old man, Harry.” Voldemort commanded turning to look at his companion. “He is your mentor after all - is he not?” Harry glanced at Dumbledore before looking at Voldemort; he straightened his back and shook his head. “Harry.” Lord Voldemort warned, but Harry just shook his head again, his jaw tightening. Dumbledore watched with interest as Voldemort’s face tightened and he turned and grabbed Harry’s chin, with quick sharp movements, tilting his head back until they were looking eye to eye. Harry’s lips twisted mutinously and he glared up at Voldemort, whose fingers tightened and kept tightening, making Harry whimper and close his eyes in defeat.

“Hello Headmaster,” Harry said his tone even. Lord Voldemort smiled and placed a kiss on Harry’s cheek before letting go of his chin. He then reached up and ruffled Harry’s hair in a gesture akin to one a dog that had pleased its owner might be given.

“Hello Harry,” he replied smiling cheerfully at the young man, his eyes flickering between the two of them unhappily. “I must say I’m surprised, Harry, that –”

“That he lets me touch him?” Voldemort prompted, looking at Dumbledore lazily caressing Harry’s face; a sign of possession, nothing more, and nothing less. Harry closed his eyes and leaned into Voldemort’s touch, sighing he opened his eyes. Dumbledore did not expect the depth of pain within his gaze.

“Sometimes the only way to win is to lose.” Harry said, and then added after a moment’s consideration ”Sir.”

“How could you do it Harry? How could you betray us?” Harry shifted uncomfortably under Dumbledore’s gaze. Voldemort decided to take pity on Harry and wrapped his arm around his waist, Harry leant into his embrace; Dumbledore watched their interaction with sad eyes.

“I didn’t intend to betray you, Headmaster.” Harry said honestly. “I placed a bet; I lost, and was forced to pay up.”

“A bet?” Dumbledore’s face wrinkled in a frown.

Lord Voldemort smiled maliciously. “Didn’t you tell him about our game Harry?” he purred. “I thought you’d have told him all about our game.” Dumbledore looked at Harry in confusion. Harry had pulled away from Voldemort and was just standing there, jaw and fists clenched his eyes screwed shut. They all jumped when the glass in the windows shattered. A single tear dropped down Harry’s cheek; he wiped it away with the back of his hand. Opening his eyes he turned and looked at Voldemort; Dumbledore was struck by how similar the colour of Harry’s eyes looked to the Killing Curse. Harry smiled self-disparagingly.

“You know I didn’t,” he said bitterly. “You know it was just between us. Is it still a game Tom, now that you’ve won?”

Voldemort turned to Dumbledore, “Do you know what I’ve won?” he asked his eyes alight with unholy amusement. “I’ve won your death and Harry’s unwavering support.” Dumbledore felt the world crashing down around him.

“What? What have you done Harry?!”

“I’ve both saved and damned,” Harry replied bitterly. “In exchange for the lives of the members of the Order, I have given myself freely and willingly to Tom and… and I have given your life to the cause.”

“How could you…?”

“Easily,” Tom interrupted completely ignoring the filthy look Harry threw in his direction.

“I gave them their lives Dumbledore,” Harry said looking at him in earnest. “I gave them the only thing that I could. The only thing that is important.”

“No, you’re wrong, Harry. Life isn’t the only thing that’s important…”

“You would say that, wouldn’t you?” Harry interrupted bitterly. “You kept sending me back to my Aunt and Uncle no matter how hard I begged not to go back. The Cause is always greater than the people, isn’t it Dumbledore?” Dumbledore looked away, unable to hold Harry’s gaze. “What’s a child’s life with its parents compared to The Cause? It’s nothing, isn’t it?” Harry grimaced. “In some ways, Dumbledore, your methods are no better than Tom’s, despite the fact you condemn him.”

Harry drew his wand and pointed it at Dumbledore; even Voldemort seemed surprised by his actions. Voldemort drew back and watched the scene before him play out, confident that Harry would play his part. Harry swallowed and ignored the tears rolling heavily down his cheeks and the trembling of his hand. “I’m sorry Dumbledore, but I had to give them hope.” Harry paused trying to find the words. “Now that they’ve neither you nor I, but so what! A single person doesn’t win a war. Neither does a battle win it. War’s more complicated than that. Where there’s life, there’s always hope.” He smiled bitterly; “Besides we’ve all got our little parts to play in this little melodrama- isn’t that right Tom?”

“And what is yours, Harry?” Dumbledore asked him gently.

Harry looked away; “To be your judge, jury, and executioner.”

“And then…?”

“Then…?” Harry looked at Voldemort thoughtfully, before returning his attention to Dumbledore. He shrugged and offered Dumbledore a watery smile. He closed his eyes. “For what it’s worth Professor, I’m sorry.” He opened his eyes and tightened his grip on his wand. “I hope you enjoy your next great adventure, sir, and we see each other again.” Voldemort came up behind Harry and wrapped his arms possessively around him. He rested his chin on the top of Harry’s head and watched Dumbledore.

Harry uttered the Killing Curse.

The End.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update and finish this story. I hope you enjoyed read it :)