Harry Potter and the Legacy of Merlin

Chapter 1

The Voice of Evil

"Hey, boy, come up here," said Vernon Dursley. Harry Potter, pale and thin, went up to him. He looked pathetic next to the big, beefy man, but yet, there was a strange aura of power about him, that one could feel. Uncle Vernon felt it too.

"Yes?" said Harry quietly.

"Petunia wants to know if you need anything from the market. We will be leaving in a few minutes. Would you like to come?"

"No."

"What's wrong with you, boy? Here we are, trying to be good to you - after all, you saved our son, not that you shouldn't, after all we've done for you...."

"Please, Uncle Vernon, leave me alone."

Vernon Dursley stared in surprise after him. Harry staggered up the stairs and locked himself up in his room. He knew it was wrong of him not to respond to his family's newfound kindness, but the loss of Sirius still haunted him. He wanted to go back to the Ministry again- search for his godfather. He was thankful for the daily owls he received from his friends and concerned teachers, but still...

He drifted off to sleep. He saw Voldemort again. Instructing his Death Eaters. Laughing. A joyous sensation took over him, a feeling he knew wasn't his own. He still hadn't managed to master Occlumency, not that he'd tried. It had been a month already. He read the newspaper sometimes, but the killings of Lord Voldemort outraged him. And his portrayal as a hero enraged him as well. If only they'd understand and leave him alone...

Ah, Harry, said a voice in his head. Thinking about me?

"Who are you?" Harry asked, though he knew the answer. This was the third time this voice was speaking to him, and he knew only one person who could talk to him that way.

Stop playing games, Harry. You know who I am.

"I don't believe you."

You do.

Harry sighed. "Okay, Riddle. So I know you. Now what? "

Don't call me that! Voldemort hissed.

"Why not? That's what you are. And why are you bothering with me, anyway? I thought you had nothing to say to me? That I'd irked you too much and for too long?"

I heard you tried a Cruciatus.

"It failed."

Nevertheless, Bella says you had enough power, just lacked the feeling.

"I don't care what that bitch says."

Language, Harry. The voice laughed.

"Leave me alone, Riddle."

Not till you tell me the prophecy.

"Very well. I have the power to vanquish you. I have the power that you don't know. And you've marked me as your equal. And while one of us survives the other can't."

Give me the exact words.

"I don't remember. Ask Dumbledore."

What is this power you have?

"Power of the heart."

There's no such thing.

"If you say so."

Harry Potter, I've found out something.

"So?"

You loved your godfather, didn't you?

"What's that got to do with this?"

Well, nothing, apparently. Think about it this way. He was actually living a life of misery. It's good that he died... Maybe death is better. I wouldn't know. I've never died....

"SHUT UP! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF SIRIUS WITH THAT FOUL MOUTH OF YOURS? GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" And, with a bang, Harry's brain shut off Voldemort.

Several things happened simultaneously. All things made of glass in four, Privet Drive exploded. A great white light burst out of Harry's body and he fainted on his bed, which caught fire as soon as he fell. A cloud of fire burst in Dumbledore's office. And Lord Voldemort clutched his head in pain and screamed out loud.

Dumbledore stood up. "Oh, my God, Harry!" he cried and summoned Fawkes. He caught hold of Fawkes' tail and disappeared. He appeared right in front of the Dursley's house. As he walked in, he waved a casual hand and every shattered glass thing repaired. He walked up to Harry's bedroom. The door burst magically open.

He walked to Harry and laid his hand on his forehead. It was cold, freezing. He picked up Harry in his arms and Disapparated to The Burrow. Mrs. Weasley rushed to him.

"What happened? We all felt a kind of blast a few minutes back. Was it him?"

"Yes, Molly. Get me some Floo powder please. It is essential that I take him to Poppy this instant."

Mrs. Weasley obliged immediately. A moment later, Dumbledore was walking to the Hospital Wing, Harry Potter in his arms.

Madam Pomfrey was shocked when she examined Harry. "Albus, does this boy really have that much power?"

"Yes, Poppy. And I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to wake him up right now."

"But Albus, the boy needs rest."

"I know. He can rest later. Bring him around for five minutes, and then give him the draught for dreamless sleep."

"Oh, I see. Very well, Albus."