What a Witch Needs

Thanks for all your responses to the last chapter. It was interesting to me to see how everyone felt about Wormtail being executed. Blah! I always want to type Wormtongue, but that was Lord of the Rings. As you have noticed, the action in the story is really picking up. More and more serious events are happening.

This chapter is a major reveal, whose time has finally come. LOL As the author of this story, I’ve chomped at the bit just waiting to get to this stuff. But it’s been fun knowing all along what was to happen and reading some of your predictions in the reviews. Don’t worry; there will still be more surprises to come.

This chapter was beta’d by gardengirlgarden and Narcissa Black – Thank You!

Enjoy!


Delusions of Grandeur


“Harry, have a seat,” Dumbledore said when Harry walked into his office. They both sat down and looked at each other quietly, each waiting for the other to start speaking.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. “You’ve had quite a day today.”

Harry slumped down, elbow propped on the side of the chair and forehead resting on his palm. “I’ve killed three people so far,” Harry mumbled.

“Four,” Dumbledore replied.

Harry looked up at his face, “Pardon?”

“Four,” he repeated. “You forget about Professor Quirrell in your first year.”

“All right, then, four,” Harry huffed. “But that first one was self-defense.”

“And you no doubt feel the others deserved it,” Dumbledore stated. He watched as Harry nodded. “Harry, I may be a wizard of the Light, but I’ve fought my share of duels. This isn’t the first war to come along in my lifetime. But knowing that I have fought, and… yes… killed, so that I can contribute to the overall good of the wizarding world, did not make it any easier. Yet, these are the realities of war.”

Harry listened and yet did not feel satisfied with the answer. “Pettigrew,” Harry said, “he deserved what he got.” He looked at Dumbledore, hoping that he’d agree – even the slightest bit.

“You had many reasons to hate him, Harry,” Dumbledore replied, “the least of which was spying. Yet, it was for that very reason I did not interfere with the execution. You were right to do so.”

Harry looked at him in surprise, “Then why did you try to stop me at first?”

Dumbledore sighed, heavily. “Unfortunately, armies tend to be made up of the young, those without families of their own to think of. I feared that, in your other state of mind, you might have made Pettigrew’s end a much bloodier affair. But, thankfully, that wasn’t the case. You might have lost support of some of the Light Wizards in your troops if you had done so.”

“I wanted to,” Harry said, softly.

Dumbledore nodded. “I know, Harry, yet despite your tremendous anger, you were able to temper yourself. That, alone, speaks volumes. You will be a wise and just leader of the Dark Wizards, Harry, of that I have no doubt.”

“I really do want a better world, sir, a world where Dark and Light can peacefully coexist.”

“Then lead by example, Harry,” Dumbledore said. “A good leader lives and makes choices in the ways he would have others do. Create a world of tolerance and acceptance, if that is your wish, and the Light and Dark will peacefully coexist.”

Harry nodded and began looking around the room.

“Is there something else on your mind, Harry?” Dumbledore asked.

“Yes, sir, I just wanted to … apologize… for being short with you at times,” Harry said, uncomfortably. “I hope you know that I greatly respect you and I appreciate all you have done for me.”

“Thank you, Harry,” Dumbledore answered. “I realize that being who you are isn’t easy. You’ve had a lot to contend with in a very short time. I hold no grudges.”

Harry nodded. “Sir, that time you tried to speak with me, when we returned from Marlston, I was very rude. I didn’t want to hear you out at that time. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear what you had to say.”

Dumbledore glanced above at all the portraits on the wall, which were now listening intently. He stood and motioned to Harry to follow. “Come, Harry, let’s retire to my private study.”

They entered the private room which contained many journals and books, most strewn across a large round table at one end of the room. Harry sat while Dumbledore gathered the books and manuscripts pertinent to the awaited discussion. He placed a stack of books in front of Harry and then made his way to a chair nearby.

Harry looked at the stack of books and said, “You don’t expect me to read all this, do you?”

“I’m afraid that would be difficult for you, unless you’re well versed in ancient languages,” Dumbledore replied. “No, I merely wish to show you the evidence I’ve gathered for what I’m about to tell you.”

“This is about Merlin, isn’t it?” Harry asked.

“Yes,” Dumbledore nodded, “and I’m sorry I seemed so spooked last time I tried to speak of this with you. You see, the existence of Merlin under Marlston was quite a shock. But I’ve recovered.”

“Why did you look so frightened, sir?” Harry asked.

Dumbledore picked up one of the books and opened it. “You know the legends, do you not, of King Arthur and Merlin?”

“Yes, most people do, even Muggles,” Harry answered.

“Well, there are much older tales,” Dumbledore explained, “tales from ancient civilizations, tales of Kings and Emperors who rose to great power, aiding their civilizations to advance in culture and knowledge – all with the aide of a trusted advisor, a man of great magic.”

“Like Merlin was to Arthur,” Harry pondered.

Dumbledore began strewing the pile of books around the table as he pronounced each of the great civilizations. “Atlantis, Sumer, Akkad, Egypt, Persia, China, Greece, Rome, and perhaps countless others, all came to greatness with the help of a master magician.” Dumbledore looked at Harry’s face to see if he understood, but Harry showed no sign as he waited for Dumbledore to continue. “Harry, this old manuscript,” Dumbledore said, “the very one I tried to show you last time…”

“The one taken from Marlston,” Harry said.

“Yes,” Dumbledore nodded. “It’s the research of one of the earliest Marlstons. It was his belief that the master magician that aided all those civilizations to greatness was one and the same – Merlin. Your confirmation that Merlin was immortal was the last piece of evidence I needed to believe this theory. The rest of the evidence is in these tales, all describing the same man, using many of the same methods. He would choose a child, raise it to be a leader, and, indeed, in every case the child would become the first great ruler of an empire or kingdom.”

“That’s very interesting, Professor,” Harry said. “But…”

“No, wait, Harry, let me finish,” Dumbledore interrupted. “It all sounds so benevolent, doesn’t it? But Merlin wasn’t just responsible for the creation of the civilization; he was also responsible for its downfall. He pitted one against the other, creating war and instability; he played with lands and people as if they were mere chess pieces for his amusement. He never really cared for humanity. As centuries passed and new kings ruled, they forgot Merlin, forgot to give him credit for all he had done for them. So he turned against them, creating a stronger enemy to enslave or crush the ungrateful kingdoms. For thousands of years, this continued, until he made a mistake.”

“Mordred,” Harry whispered.

“Yes, Harry,” Dumbledore confirmed. “Merlin had relations with human women, spreading his magical seed, all those millennia. That is how witches and wizards came to be. Not as powerful as Merlin, mind you, but gifted in magic. But that wasn’t his mistake. His mistake came when he mated with Morgan le Fey, a woman already strong in magic. Their combined attributes were passed on to their child, Mordred. He was not as powerful as Merlin, mind you, but Mordred was gifted with a sharp mind and an art for deception. That, combined with the magical aid of his mother, was enough to entrap Merlin in his prison of ice, holding him in a sort of stasis all these centuries.”

“So it’s a good thing then,” Harry pondered. “It’s good that Merlin is trapped. He can’t toy with mankind while he’s imprisoned.”

Dumbledore nodded, “Yes, those are my thoughts as well. Do you realize, Harry, that the author of this manuscript, Thomas Marlston, also believed that Merlin was responsible for the great flood that covered the whole continent of Atlantis? Countless millions died at the whim of this magician. Just think how angry he would be, if someone should release him today. It is my fear that he would feel no remorse as he wiped the slate clean of all that mankind has become in his absence. Then he would start his cycle of building and destroying all over again.”

“We won’t let that happen, sir,” Harry stated. “I can see now that there is much more at stake than the existence of the Dark Lord.”

“Perhaps there needs to be a Dark Lord, Harry,” Dumbledore said. “The power of Mordred needs to exist and be passed on. Who else would be strong enough to keep Merlin from destroying mankind if he should get free?”

OOOOOO

Narcissa went to kitchens to discuss this week’s menus with Dicey as she always did on Sunday evenings. When she walked in, she found the elf putting the finishing touches on a large chocolate cake.

Dicey stopped what she was doing and bowed to Narcissa. “Mistress, Dicey is ready to listen.”

“Very well, Dicey,” Narcissa said, eying the cake. “I don’t remember cake being on the menu for tonight.”

“No, Mistress,” Dicey shook her head. “Mistress did not ask for cake this week. Master Dudley asked for cake.”

“Oh?” Narcissa answered. “That’s fine, Dicey. Serve it for tonight’s dessert.”

“But, Mistress,” Dicey said, “Dicey makes this cake for Master Dudley’s midnight snack.”

Narcissa’s eyebrows shot up. “Midnight snack?”

“Yes, Master Dudley says he wants cake every night. So Dicey brings him a cake at midnight.”

“The whole cake?” Narcissa marveled.

“Yes, Mistress,” Dicey answered. “Master Dudley eats the whole cake every night.”

Narcissa stared at Dicey for a moment, trying to comprehend the eating of a whole cake for a ‘snack.’ “Dicey,” Narcissa decided, “you are to cease bringing Master Dudley snacks. He will eat three meals a day in the dining room, no seconds. You will not serve any more desserts until Master Dudley has achieved a healthier body.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Dicey said, not looking forward to Dudley’s anger at the news. “Master Dudley will be upset at Dicey when Dicey does not bring him his cake.”

“I shall inform him of this new arrangement,” Narcissa said. She left the kitchen and soon found herself knocking on Dudley’s door.

“What?” Dudley called out from within.

Narcissa sighed. “I think the correct response is ‘come in’.”

“Fine, come in then,” Dudley said.

Narcissa opened the door and stood looking at Dudley who was lying on his bed with books and magazines strewn around him. Tonks had also brought him some comic books, which he was currently reading. Dudley looked up from his comic and asked, “Am I late for dinner or something?”

“No, Mr. Dursley,” Narcissa replied, “but meals are what I came here to discuss.”

Dudley frowned and waited for her to continue.

“I found out about your substantial ‘midnight snack’, Mr. Dursley, and I must say that I consider it an extremely unhealthy habit for a young man like yourself,” Narcissa stated. “As your guardian, I consider it my duty to concern myself with your well-being while we reside in the same household. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to set a healthier eating schedule for you. You are to have three moderate meals in the dining room each day. There will be no unhealthy desserts or extra snacks brought up to your room.”

Dudley’s mouth popped open while he listened. “You’re trying to starve me! Just wait until I tell Harry!”

“You will hardly be ‘starving’, Mr. Dursley,” Narcissa replied. “Gluttony has never been allowed in my family. You have seen my son, Draco, have you not? He’s a fine example of someone who can maintain an attractive appearance.”

“Well, I’m not your son,” Dudley answered.

“Obviously,” Narcissa answered, looking him up and down. “Yet I am responsible for you, nonetheless. Don’t you wish to appear more attractive, Mr. Dursley? Surely you have an interest in young ladies. Your chances of attracting the ones you desire will increase if you make yourself more appealing.”

“Oh? And where am I supposed to meet these young ladies?” Dudley answered with a hint of sarcasm. “I’m not allowed to go out of the house. So, unless that tutor coming on Wednesday is young and beautiful, what does it matter?”

“We won’t always be confined to this house, Mr. Dursley,” Narcissa replied. “The war will have an end. My mind is set in this matter. You will improve your health. I think Lord Potter would agree that it would be in your best interests.” Narcissa turned to leave when Dudley’s voice stopped her.

“Is she?” he asked, quietly.

“To whom are you referring?” Narcissa asked, confused.

“The tutor,” Dudley said, almost shyly. “Is she young and beautiful?”

“She is a he, and no, he is not young,” she answered. “He’s a retired professor, a squib.”

“Squib?”

“Someone who is born into a magical family, but has no magical abilities,” Narcissa answered. “It is an occurrence that magical parents dread.”

OOOOOOOO

The weeks went by uneventfully: school, Sunday army drills, Quidditch, all filled the schedules of the students. The Death Eater attacks on the magical and Muggle worlds seemed to slow, which made everyone wonder what Voldemort was up to. Was this the calm before the storm?

Harry was pleased with the progress of his army. The captains had really pulled together and taken responsibility for their own troops. This took a lot of pressure off Harry. He was now able to spend more time working with the Order, planning ways in which they could most effectively strike at Voldemort.

One Friday afternoon, Hermione found herself in a position that was rare for her. She hadn’t finished brewing her potion for the mid-year potion exams and had to stay after class.

Professor Snape had assigned each of them a different potion to make for the exam. They were to make their potions themselves, no partners to help. Hermione groaned when she received her assigned potion – the Happiness and Joy Cure, a complicated potion which, if made to the exact specifications, would make a person feel extremely happy and in love with life – temporarily of course.

At the end of class, she still had a good hour to go before it would be complete. As the students cleaned their desks and supplies, handing in their individual potions, Hermione frowned and sighed. Why did she have to get the most complicated one?

“Professor Snape?”

“Yes, Miss Granger?” he said, coolly. His eyes flicked over her desk, noticing she was not getting ready to leave. “Is there a problem?”

“I need more time, Sir,” she replied. “This potion cannot possibly be made in the time allowed.”

“Then you must stay and finish,” he replied. “If you leave the room without handing me your completed assignment, you will fail this exam.”

Hermione looked at Draco and Harry, who were gathering up their things and getting ready to leave. Harry glanced at Snape and then back to Hermione. “I’ll stay and wait,” he said.

“No, it’s all right, Harry,” she answered. “I know you’ve got Quidditch practice.”

“I’ll stay, then,” Draco said.

“Just stop it, you two,” she replied. “I don’t need babysitting. I’ll find you both when I’m through here.”

Everyone else had already left the room and Professor Snape said, “Potter and Malfoy, if you insist on speaking to Miss Granger while she is in the middle of an exam, it will be counted against her.”

The boys glared at Snape, and then they quickly kissed Hermione on the cheek and left the room.

An hour had passed, Hermione still working intently while Snape sat at his desk, analyzing the potions from the other students. Ever so often he would glance up at her when she wasn’t aware.

“Professor, I think I’ve just about got it,” she announced, relieved. The potion was finally turning the proper shade of yellow. Snape stood and walked over to her desk, looking at the concoction in the pot.

“Let’s test it, shall we?” Snape said, pulling a small vial out of his pocket. He shook a few drops out into her potion and they both watched as the potion began to steam. Hermione leaned backwards as the steam rose up towards her face, but not in time. She got a big whiff of her potion and now began to feel very lightheaded.

She sat down in her seat and looked up at the Professor who was holding a cloth over his nose and mouth. “I… I’m feeling a bit dizzy,” she answered.

“Yes, it’s the effects of the potion,” he said, looking at her face. “Do you feel anything else?”

Hermione swayed in her seat a bit, trying to focus on the sensations. She began to realize that she felt very… good. She felt happy, ecstatic even. She glanced up at Snape and smiled. “I’m feeling great!” she laughed. “I think it works, Professor.”

“Yes, it appears so, Miss Granger,” he answered. He turned and retrieved a glass sphere off of his desk. “Let’s record your feelings here, Miss Granger, so we have something to compare your normal state of mind to.”

He sat across from her and tapped the ball with his wand.

“What’s that?” she asked, smiling. She felt so wonderful, so alive!

“It’s a memory ball,” he answered. “Now, Miss Granger, I would like you to think of something that makes you extremely happy. How about… your feelings for… say… Potter and Malfoy…”

She smiled dreamily, her arms crossing over her chest like a hug. “I love them so much,” she sighed. “I want to marry them… both of them.”

“Very good, Miss Granger,” Snape replied, holding the ball towards her. “I want you to breathe into this sphere and with each breath I want you to think about how much you love them.”

“Like sending them my love with my breath?” she said, happily.

Snape nodded, “Precisely.”

Hermione took the ball and with thoughts of her lovers, breathed into it deeply.

“Love, Miss Granger, think about love,” Snape encouraged. While she was breathing into the sphere, he stood and filled a cup with water, putting a few drops of a mixture that contained truth serum and a compulsion spell. He returned to the seat across from her. “That will be all, Miss Granger,” he said. He took the sphere from her fingers and tapped it again with his wand, sealing her feelings of love inside. Then he pushed the cup of water towards her. “Drink this,” he said. “It will help restore you.”

“Maybe I like being happy,” she smiled and laughed. She took the drink from him and sipped it. “This tastes like plain water.”

“Yes, it is, for the most part,” he answered. “Now, Miss Granger, tell me all about Marlston and the secret power beneath it.”

OOOOOOOOOO

Harry flew off the Quidditch pitch when he heard that Hermione was unconscious in the infirmary. He flew into the castle’s large front doors and up the stairs while people quickly moved out of his way. Hopping off his broom he walked into the door of the hospital room. Draco was already there, sitting next to her and holding her hand. He turned a worried face towards Harry.

“What happened?” Harry said, urgently, striding to the other side of the bed.

“Professor Snape said something went wrong with her potion and she breathed in some bad fumes,” Draco answered. “He said she collapsed right onto the floor.”

“Is she going to be all right?” Harry asked, worriedly.

Madam Pomfrey came walking in at that moment. “I think so, Mr. Potter. All her vital signs are still strong. I’m going to try to revive her. She may be a bit disoriented.”

Madam Pomfrey pointed her medi-wand at Hermione’s forehead and a flicker of light came out of its tip. Hermione sucked in a big breath of air and moved her head from side to side.

“Hermione?” Draco asked, shaking her hand. “Love, are you all right?”

Her eyes opened slowly and she looked at Draco in confusion.

“Hermione?” Harry now said. She turned her head and looked at him as well.

“I… I feel so strange,” she answered.

“But… you’re all right?” Harry asked.

“She’ll be fine, boys,” Madam Pomfrey answered for her. “The fumes may have caused a bit of memory loss, but she’ll recover with some rest.”

“I… was making a potion,” Hermione said, slowly, trying to remember.

“Yes, for the exam, remember,” Draco prompted.

She shook her head. “I don’t… remember how this happened. Why am I in the hospital?”

“You breathed in some very potent fumes, Miss Granger,” said a voice from the shadows. Professor Snape stepped forward. He glanced at Harry who had spun around to glare at him. “Your potion reacted poorly, I’m afraid you made a mistake somewhere in your procedure.”

“You!” Harry snapped. He strode angrily up to Snape, getting close to his face.

“You best stand back, Potter, and show some respect,” Snape said, tersely. “I did, after all, save your girlfriend from poisoning herself.”

Harry remained where he was, his eyes looking directly into Snape’s, burrowing, delving, knocking into his mind for information. It was a silent battle of the wills, Snape using a powerful mind block against Harry’s mental probe. Ah, yes, Potter was strong, but Snape had been practicing this art for decades.

“Harry?” Hermione’s weak voice interrupted.

Harry’s eyes shifted towards her, breaking his concentration. Then he looked at Snape again and said in a low voice that only Snape could hear, “If you’re using her to get back at me, I’ll kill you – slowly and painfully.” He remained staring at Snape while the Potions Master lifted a brow in amusement.

“I believe, Potter,” Snape said, softly, “that your worry for Miss Granger has made you irrational. I’ll forgive you for your crude threat… this time.” Snape turned and strode from the room. When he was out of view from the others, a slow smile spread over his face.

OOOOOOOOO

Snape stood in his bedroom, looking at the objects on his side table: the key and the sphere. Those two small items would gain him entrance into Marlston. And now… now that he knew what lay under that house… he could finally see that his desires could be a reality.

To be able to rid the world of the Dark Lords, once and for all; he never thought it would be possible until now. And then, at last, the proper leader of the wizarding world could come to power, the one whose birthright it was to lead – the Half Blood Prince.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Yes, and that day would be coming soon. This war would provide the proper distraction for the Dark Lords. And when they were engrossed in killing each other, he would make his move and end them both!

“Sir?” a small voice said from behind him. Snape slowly opened his eyes. “You called for me?”

Snape turned around and looked at the elf. “Yes, we are to celebrate tonight. I have received the most wonderful news. Bring the others, I want complete satisfaction tonight.”

“Yes, sir,” the elf said, leaving to fetch some more elves.

Snape undressed and lay on his bed. It wasn’t long until five elves came into his bedroom, waiting for instruction. Snape turned on his side and propped one leg up.
He pointed at each elf in turn, giving them orders.

“You!” he pointed at one, “suck my cock. You, lick my balls. You, feast on my arse. The other two, I want you to suck on my toes.”

“Yes, sir,” the elves replied.

“Your Highness,” Snape said. “I want you to address me as ‘Your Highness’ when we are alone.”

The elves looked at each other and then back at Snape, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Now get to work!” Snape demanded. The elves began their licking and slurping while Snape closed his eyes and smiled. Yes, soon he’d be able to have witches doing this for him instead of elves. He could see it now: they’ll want to impress him, so that he’d choose them for his Princess.

Yes, it will be good to rule, have them bow down before him. Soon…

OOOOOOOO

A/N (he he he) I had to get a little more house elf action in. LOL Well, it does show a bit of Snape’s madness, doesn’t it? Besides, it makes me laugh!

This chapter was very revealing. You now know why Dumbledore was so shaken up by Merlin before. And, most of all, you now know Snape’s motive and diabolical plan. When Half Blood Prince came out, the thought struck me that J.K.’s Snape may be out for himself and not really working for Dumbledore nor Voldemort. After all, he fancies himself a Prince. That’s my theory anyway. So I incorporated my belief into this story.

And is Dudley on his way to becoming Studley? You’ll have to wait and see.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know your thoughts. Bye for now…