Harry Potter and the Wizards of Narhassa

Chapter 8: Fateful Encounters

Harry chased Ron through the virtually empty corridors of Hogwarts, trailing at his heel while the taller boy did his best to outdistance Harry without running.

"You knew it was going to happen, sooner or later!" protested Harry in between deep breaths.

Ron ignored him, stamping through the corridor, playing the role of a confused and jealous fifteen-year-old well.

"What did you expect?" continued Harry. "That Hermione would just wait around for you until you were ready to proposition her? Did you not learn this lesson last year?"

Ron turned about, his finger extended with a jabbing point. "This is totally different! Krum was, at least, understandable. The only reason she is interested in Sean is to get under my skin!"

Harry's jaw dropped while Ron turned about and continued walking... to where, Harry could only guess.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" snapped Harry. "What's wrong with you?"

Ron stopped yet again and turned around. "What's so ridiculous about it? What could she possibly SEE in a prat like SEAN? Krum was famous... he was awesome... But SEAN, I mean... he..."

It was now Harry's turn to get into Ron's face. "HE is not afraid to open up to people, for one! And two, he doesn't act like a jealous pillock whenever someone else looks at the girl he is interested in!"

"So, you are taking his side?" retorted Ron. "Some scummy Muggle that you've only known for three days?"

Harry backed down a step, eying Ron coolly. "Oh, hi, Malfoy... I didn't see you there. Could you tell Ron to come back? We were having a conversation."

Ron paused for a moment and heaved a deep sigh. "Ok, I'm sorry. That slipped."

"Forgiven and forgotten, only cause I'm your best friend," said Harry with a slight smirk. "Look, Ron... we don't even know what they did. Maybe they were snogging, but maybe they weren't."

Ron looked skeptically to Harry. "What else could they have been doing? Brushing each others teeth with their tongues?"

Harry shrugged, throwing his hands up. "If they did kiss... it's not like that's the end of the world. You have to tell Hermione how you feel and let her choose."

"That's easy for you to say," said Ron bitterly. "I'm not dating Mary Sue Perfect like you are."

At that, Harry could not help but laugh. "I assure you, she isn't perfect. She is just perfect for me."

Ron also managed a smile. "Fair enough."

They continued walking again, side by side, as it had always been with them. Harry was greatly relieved. He hated taking sides, choosing between two of his friends, yet he never backed down from it. Harry Potter was always a straight shooter and would voice his opinion in any matter, using as much tact as possible.

Ron veered right from the corridor, heading to the third floor boy's bathroom. "So, what should I say to her?"

"Well, first tell her you are sorry that you acted like a jealous git," said Harry helpfully. "Then, from there, it's your show."
Ron sighed, rubbing his chin dubiously. "I'm not really good at this sort of thing."

He pushed open the door to the bathroom door as Harry continued talking. "Well, none of us are really... that's why it is tough."
Harry followed Ron in and around the steel separator in the bathroom.

Their conversation trailed off as Harry saw Ron, his jaw dropped and his eyes wide. He was staring straight ahead of him, his body as rigid as a board.

"Ron?" asked Harry as he rounded the corner as well and suddenly felt a wave of panic rush over his body.

Tom Marvolo Riddle was calmly washing his hands in the sink, seemingly all but oblivious to their presence. The experience of seeing him now was twice as nerve racking as it was before. Now, there was nothing but air between Harry and the Dark Lord; there was no Dumbledore in the same room to keep him safe.

After about ten seconds, Riddle looked up and noticed Harry and Ron gawking at him.

"Oh hello there," said Seth (Tom), flicking his hands free of a bit of water.

Neither Harry nor Ron responded.

"Fine place, this Hogwarts is," he continued, speaking smoothly and slyly. The voice sent Harry back three years ago to the Chamber of Secrets. This is no coincidence, thought Harry. "Fine place indeed," repeated Riddle, washing his face with a paper towel. "So you two must be Harry Potter... and Ron Weasley."

Harry, in light of the situation, was feeling increasingly bold. "And you must be Voldemort..." he said, reaching for his wand under his robe.

Riddle smirked slightly. "Oh no. I believe you are mistaken. I am Seth

Redetyor... born to a Jeffrey Redetyor and Molly Parkinson sixteen years ago, or at least that is what the birth records will say."

Ron shook with intimidation, his usually bright pink cheeks now as lurid as Malfoy's. Harry, however, was livid with rage.

"Here I am, Voldemort..." shouted Harry. "Why don't you just take my life now and leave everyone else alone? Isn't that what you came here to do?"

Seth smirked as he dried his hands over the sink. "I know not of what you speak. I'm here to take a class to help me come to terms with the amazing powers I've unlocked within my soul."

"Stop playing stupid!" snapped Harry, while Ron continued to shake at his side, terrified. "I've dealt with you in the past... whatever scheme you are planning now won't work!"

"Harry Potter," said Seth calmly, turning toward him and stepping forward. "Yes, I have heard of your strokes of luck against Lord Voldemort in the past..."

"Luck had nothing to do with it!" lied Harry, pulling out his wand as Seth drew closer. Ron, with trembling fingers, reciprocated the action... however dropped his wand just as quickly for his fingers couldn't find a solid grip.

"Sure it did," said Seth, smoothing his sleek, black hair. "First, mommy gives her life to protect you, nearly getting Voldemort killed. Second, mommy's love kills the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor in your first year... and thirdly, you so happened to have the same wand as him, which locked up his spells and allowed you to run away like a rabbit." Seth raised a jeering brow to Harry. "Seems like luck to me."

Harry pointed his wand at Seth threateningly. "Only the Dark Lord or a Death Eater would know what happened that night..."

"Or every single wizard in England who wanted to learn about it," pitched in Seth with a smirk. "It is all a matter of public record if you know the right people."

Harry swallowed a nervous lump in his throat, his wand starting the shake from nerves. Could there even be a small chance that this was not Lord Voldemort? He certainly was not acting like Voldemort... or even Tom Riddle from the Chamber of Secrets. Tom Riddle had been much more meticulous and sinister, realized Harry. Seth seemed to be taking this encounter as Malfoy would... with a painful sarcasm.

"You are coming with me," said Harry finally, with authority. "We are going to see Dumbledore, now. I'm sure you won't mind. Right Ron?"

Ron, who had managed to pick up his wand and hold it up to Seth, (he did not seem to notice he was holding it the wrong way) dropped it again at the mention of his name. Scooping it up quickly, Ron held it toward Seth (albeit he was still holding it the wrong way)

"R - right, Har - Har- Harry," stammered Ron, his hand shaking wildly. "You-Know... err You-Are-Who, you are coming to who... with me... and... um..."

Ron paused to take a deep breath and, as if his own feelings had been sufficiently spoken on the matter, pointed the butt end of his wand at Tom Riddle aggressively forward.

Seth took a step back, his deep dark green eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I am so sorry, Harry Potter, but I have a class to go to. I haven't time to tarry about and pay a visit to the good Headmaster. Now, if you would excuse me..."

Harry pointed his wand again, with confidence inspired by hopelessness. "You can either come willingly or come unwillingly."

"Oh, Skippy," said Seth crossing his arms. "Are those my choices? Oh, what to do... what to do? I choose... unwillingly."

Seth waved his hand, and a sudden burst of energy struck both Harry and Ron, sending them flying back against the far wall of the bathroom. Ron's wand fell from his hand a third time with a clatter as both boys became airborne. Harry felt his back slam against the wall as all the air in his lungs was expelled with a great heave. The boy who lived, who had undergone so many seconds under the Cruciatus Curse, was not going to be taken down by this simple spell. With all the strength he could muster, he angled his wand toward Seth.

"Stupefy!" rasped Harry as he fell to the ground, reciting a hex he had studied in preparation for the third task last year. A bolt of pink energy emitted from the end of his wand, striking Tom Marvolo Riddle in the chest. The older boy's eyes went wide, and he toppled down upon the floor of the bathroom, quite unconscious.

Ron coughed and wheezed, struggling to his knees. "Harry... you did it!" he exclaimed.

Harry rose from the ground, panting a bit as well. "I... I thought it would be more difficult!"

However, Ron didn't seem to hear him. "Harry, I'm so sorry I didn't believe you. If this is not Lord Voldemort, I'll swallow my wand!"

"No worries," said Harry, grabbing Ron's wand and handing it back to him. "We have to bring him to Dumbledore and tell him."

"Agreed," nodded Ron, still in a tizzy over the recent events. "Morbilicorpus!"

Harry also joined in, helping Ron lift the unconscious body of the older boy. His gray eyes had shut and his face was relaxed in such a way that it seemed extremely peaceful, even happy. Ron opened the door to the bathroom, and Harry pushed out Seth's body.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The trip to Dumbledore's office was uneventful, as all students were either in classes, in their common rooms, or elsewhere. Seth's body still did not stir as Harry paused by the gray, ornate gargoyle that marked the entrance to the Headmaster's office.

"Lemon Drop!" said Harry.

Nothing happened.

"Oh brilliant," muttered Harry, heaving out his chest, feeling rather disheartened. "He's changed the password!"

Ron puffed out his cheeks. "It's always some kind of candy, right?"

"So far," said Harry. "Every Flavored Beans!"

Nothing happened.

"Keep trying," pressed Ron, a sense of urgency written upon his freckled face. "Acid Pops!"

"Chocolate Toffees!" threw in Harry.

After another minute or so, Ron stumbled across the winner by calling out "Chocolate Frogs," with an unenthusiastic tone.

Harry and Ron continued to push up the unconscious Seth, winding up the spiral staircase leading to the tower of Dumbledore's office. After knocking firmly upon the door, they heard the kindly voice of the Headmaster beckoning them in.

With a quick turn of the doorknob, Harry, for the fourth time in his life, entered the amazingly decorated niche that Dumbledore called his own. While it wasn't large, it was as cozy as possible. Exotic items, if not even a bit weird, littered the shelves that marked every bit of wall-space within the office. Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix, brushed up against Harry's leg as he entered. Upon Dumbledore's desk were two bizarre looking action figures, when dressed in red and the other green, having at each other with swords.

"Come on!" said the venerable Headmaster from behind his desk, staring down at the red action figure, his pale-blue eyes sparkling with amusement. The red figure skewered the green figure, who promptly backed off the sword, bowed to the red figure, and collapsed into a heap. "Yes, yes... good," continued Dumbledore as he looked up to Harry, Ron and the floating body of Seth, as if he had expected this scenario. "Red wins again."
Harry and Ron stared emotionlessly at the Headmaster. It was not out of character for Dumbledore to show extreme calm under pressure, however, Harry had not quite been ready for Dumbledore to show no reaction to Voldemort being brought before him.

"So, what can I do for you three?" asked Dumbledore, perhaps not even realizing Seth was floating and knocked unconscious.

"Um..." began Harry. He had not quite prepared himself for this part. How would he explain this to Dumbledore?

"We found this person in the bathroom," explained Harry, nervously. "He... well, doesn't he look like Tom Riddle?"

Ron glanced to Harry. "Tell him everything!"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, but he held his tongue.

And so, Harry explained everything, from the Sorting Ceremony, Seth's look to him that burned his scar, as well as his dream (yet he still could not bring himself to say that Sean was the massager within his nightmare), and he concluded with the showdown in the bathroom.

Dumbledore frowned slightly, scratching his long, snowy white beard.

"So, you say this boy you have placed under a Stupefy Spell and brought before me... is Lord Voldemort?" asked Dumbledore lightly.

Harry sighed. He had, deep down, suspected that Dumbledore wouldn't quite say: "Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I let Voldemort slip into the castle. Let me kill him for you both."

"I know how this sounds, Professor," said Harry pleadingly.

Ron nodded his head. "Harry's right, Professor. You should have heard him just now... he recited Harry's life story and every one of his encounters with Voldemort verbatim!"

Dumbledore paused in thoughtful consideration, eying Seth wearily. "I am concerned that your scar was hurting you Harry, however, is your only proof that this boy caused it based around the fact he was smiling at you, at the time?"

Harry took a minute to process Dumbledore's words. "Yes, Professor," he said at length, feeling a bit downtrodden.

"Well," said Dumbledore. "Let's wake him up and get his side of the story," he said kindly. He pointed lazily to the boy.

"Ennervate!" said the Headmaster calmly.

Seth's eyes flew wide open as he fell to the ground, no longer under the effect of Harry and Ron's Body Moving Charm. With a grunt, he rose to his feet, dusting himself off indignantly, but before he could speak, Dumbledore fixed him with a very passive look.

"Care to explain your actions, Mr. Redetyor?"

Seth's blinked once, scratching his raven-black hair. "What do you mean, Headmaster?"

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley over here, two people I trust very much, have told me about some strange coincidences that have occurred in your presence," said Dumbledore calmly.

"Oh?" asked Seth. "I've had similar experiences in their presence... being threatened and hit with hostile spells comes to mind."

Dumbledore remained completely passive and calm. "Tell me what happened a few minutes ago."

Seth shot a dangerous glare to Ron and Harry.

"I'm over here, Mr. Redetyor," said the old man, a bit sternly.

The Tom Riddle look-alike turned back to Dumbledore. "I was watching my hands after taking a leak and the two All-Stars over here come into the bathroom, accuse of being the Dark Lord, draw their wands and threaten that if I don't come with them, they'd make me come. I tried to defuse the situation, but they were quicker... and now I am here, very late for my class."

"Oh, that is such a crock of..." snapped Ron agitatedly, but Dumbledore's withered hand stopped the livid boy from speaking.

"That will do, Mr. Weasley," said Dumbledore, his voice never rising more than his normal, serene pitch. "Mr. Redetyor, care to explain how you knew about Harry's most recent encounter with Voldemort?"

Seth arched a disdainful brow. "Who doesn't know about it? Harry and the Diggory boy both vanish in the middle of the Triwizard Tournament... Harry returns twenty minutes later, with Cedric's body.... It was in every major wizarding newspaper from London to China!"

Dumbledore tapped the tips of his fingers together. "You seemed to be able to recall some rather specific events: Mr. Potter and Voldemort's wands locking together, for example. Who did you tell that to, Harry?"

Harry sighed, for once, feeling good about the meeting. "Only you and... Barty Crouch."

Seth calmly raised his hands into the air.

"Professor, please," said Seth, shaking his head. "It is obvious that these two just hate me because I'm a Slytherin Muggle. So, I knew about the finer details of Harry's fight with Voldemort... what does that say? Nothing. Over thirty people saw it, and any one of them might have told a friend, who told a friend, who wrote a story about it in the paper! Please, come off it. I am just here to learn and don't want to be targeted by these two in their search for revenge."

"You self-important slime!" shouted Ron, drawing a groan from Harry. That's not going to help our case, he thought.

"That will DO!" repeated the Headmaster, his usual calm failing him slightly as he used a bit of emotion on the last word of his sentence. "Mr. Redetyor, ten points will be taken from Slytherin House for such thoughtless and disrespectful words concerning Mr. Potter and the tragedies he has had to endure. Such discussions are to be conducted between himself and those he holds dear to him, not strangers."

Seth nodded slowly. "Forgive me, Professor."

Dumbledore then looked to Harry and Ron. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, five points will be taken from Gryffindor House for responding to such a discussion with debilitating force. I expected a more mature reaction from the two of you."

"What?" exclaimed Ron, "But he..."

"Mr. Weasley, don't make me take any more points from your house. Desist this banter, please," said Dumbledore, his voice seeming to be tinged with a bit of disappointment.

Ron sighed and lowered his head.

"Mr. Redetyor and Mr. Weasley, you two may leave. I wish to speak with Mr. Potter a moment longer."

Ron cast a glare full of daggers at Seth as he walked out the door. Seth calmly followed him, looking all too smug to put Harry at ease. The door closed behind the two boys with click.

"Why don't you believe us, Professor?" asked Harry finally, in a very hurt, but civil tone.

Dumbledore also sighed and folded his hands upon his desk, moving aside the two action figures, who had long since ceased their duel.

"Harry," said Dumbledore, his calm voice finally restoring itself. "I do believe you. I believe everything you have said to me this day. I believe Seth is a person who is up to no good; I believe your dream is more than just a coincidence; and I believe when you looked at Seth, your scar erupted with pain."

Harry watched Professor Dumbledore expectantly, knowing he was not finished.

"However, there is one problem with the belief that Seth Redetyor is Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore.

"What is that?" asked Harry drably.

Dumbledore's air of calm reigned dominate as he leveled with Harry.

"He is my great grandson, Harry."