Harry Potter and the Legacy of Merlin

Chapter 3

Dream of Fate

Lord Voldemort clutched his head with both hands and fell to his knees. Wormtail, not knowing the cause of his Master's agony and mortally scared of him, approached him slowly.

"C-Can I do anything, Master?"

If there was anything Lord Voldemort despised more than failure, it was showing any form of weakness in front of his Death Eaters. Somehow managing to keep an impassive face, he stood up, ignoring his pain and glared at Wormtail with his flashing scarlet eyes.

"I shall summon you when I need you, Wormtail. Now, get lost," he said softly, his voice icy.

"Y-Yes, M-Master," Wormtail whispered and ran out.

Lord Voldemort collapsed in a huge armchair, rubbing his temples. "What an immense quantity of unleashed power! Harry must be mine!" he muttered before fainting.

***

Dumbledore took up Harry in his arms and carried him to Madam Pomfrey. She was shocked.

"Back again? I send him to you for an hour and you bring him back in shards! You will be the death of the poor child, Albus! What happened?"

"Another power surge, Poppy, and it was much more violent than the last one. Is he completely drained?"

Madam Pomfrey checked Harry and shook her head.

"He has lots of power left, though I doubt he would survive too many of these blasts."

Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed. He put his hand on Harry's forehead gently. Then he sat down next to him. He barely noticed when Madam Pomfrey gave Harry a Strengthening Potion and left quietly. As he stroked Harry's hair, a tear rolled down his cheek. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"What happened, Headmaster?" Severus Snape asked.

Dumbledore related everything to Snape. He gasped in shock. "Oh my God!" he cried.

Just then, Harry opened his eyes. He perceived Dumbledore and Snape next to him. He sat up weakly.

"Is he really my grandfather, Sir?"

"Unfortunately, it seems true, my child."

"Does anyone else know?"

"I told Severus."

Harry looked at Snape with such hatred that the Potions Master took a step back. "Why are you here?" Harry hissed, "Haven't you done enough damage already? Oh, I see, you're not satisfied yet. You want to see me dead, don't you? Well, I nearly am. You won't have long to wait, Snivellus. And I suppose it gives you great pleasure to learn that I, your Master's heir, is the only thing stopping him, and I- ," Harry choked, caught his head and fainted.

Professor Snape sat down next to Harry. He took out a tiny bottle from his pocket and poured the liquid down his throat. The boy coughed, and sat up immediately.

"Professor, I-I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me," he said quietly, not daring to look up into Snape's eyes.

"It is ok, Potter. I know I have done nothing to gain your trust, but I would rather that you do not use that epithet again, or Gryffindor shall lose quite some points. And Potter, why haven't you been practising Occlumency?"

Harry bowed his head to hide the tears in his eyes. He said nothing.

"Silence is not the answer, Potter." He put his hand under Harry's chin and gently lifted his face up. "You're missing Black, aren't you? You can't go on mourning forever, Potter. I see that you haven't slept or eaten properly during the month that you were with your Muggle relatives. Snap out of it, Potter. Be a bit more like your father. He didn't brood."

"I don't want to be like my father. He was spoilt and arrogant. I am sorry that I entered your Pensieve, Professor, and I'm sorry that my father was so lousy to you."

Severus Snape suddenly slumped and buried his face in his hands. "I know you're not like your father, Harry. Took me long enough to realise that. But first things first. You must master Occlumency. The Headmaster and I shall start your training tomorrow itself. Rest now."

Harry obediently laid back and closed his eyes. He slowly drifted into sleep. He dreamt of Tom Riddle, who had abducted Ron and Hermione, and telling Harry to join him or both of them would be dead.

"NO!" cried Harry in his sleep, "I won't let you do that!"

Snape and Dumbledore, both of whom had been standing outside the Hospital Wing, talking, heard his screams and ran in. By the time they reached him, Harry's screams had reduced to hoarse whispers.

"Please don't kill them, Voldemort," he whispered, and tears trickled down from his closed eyes, "I'll do anything you ask me to."

Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's forehead and said gently, "Wake up, Harry, it was only a dream."

Harry opened his eyes. He looked around and heaved a sigh of relief. Dumbledore put an arm around his shoulders. Snape suddenly bit his lip and ran out. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Summoned," said Dumbledore.