The One Who You Fear

Chapter 16: The News

"Jack."

"How are things?"

"I'm so sorry."

"You're brave and amazing."

"Get well soon, alright mate?"

"Thank you."

Jack heard these voices out of darkness. He also felt things, like a touch on the hand or a kiss on the forehead. Yet the stimuli didn't seem to register. They were like tiny ripples on a calm pond, disturbing the peace for a few seconds then returning to perfect stillness. He was not aware of himself. He almost forgot who he was.

Then one night--

"SAMURAI JACK!" He could barely feel someone shaking his shoulders. "Can you hear me?"

Jack tried to reply for the first time, but he just couldn't.

"Come on! Get up, we need you! There's trouble!"

Trouble?! Jack tried to sit up and draw his sword like always, but he could not move. He felt as though he was chained down, and the darkness was pushing him down, crushing him.

"Let's go. He still needs his rest."

"But . . . Sirius!"

Jack had to fight it. He twisted, tried to tear the chains. Something was starting to happen, he could feel it. He had a voice again. "Uh! Arrrgh! Oh!" he groaned.

"He's starting to come around!" a voice said happily.

"Come on, Jack. You can do it."

"Harry, he's using all his energy to wake up. He's not going to have enough to fight."

"But he's got to, if nothing else just to tell us what to do."

Jack just about had victory. In fact, he was starting to open his eyes when he heard, "Oh, sweet Merlin! My patient, in a seizure! All of you, out!"

"But Madame Pomfrey--"

"OUT!" Before Jack could move another muscle, he felt everything instantly numb. Once more, he was at peace. The moment was forgotten, and all was silence for almost forever.

When Jack came to his senses again, he found himself in the misty world. The smoky mist was thicker than ever. It felt as thought it was suffocating him. He felt lost and a little afraid. He couldn't believe it. He survived the Words of Death. He survived Wormtail with the saber. He survived Aku. Would this mist kill him?

Then, he saw a bright light. Could it be true? This may have been the first time in this dream world that Jack had ever seen a real light. He was drawn to it. He felt as though he was flying on an invisible broom. He flew closer and closer and closer. He wanted to touch that light, see if it was real. As he reached the brightness, he stretched out his hands and grabbed something.

The light came from a pair of glasses. Jack had his hands on a pair of moonfaced spectacles resting on the nose of Dumbledore. Only then did Jack notice that he was in the hospital wing. He sighed and, feeling rather weak, fell back down into his bed.

"Good morning, Jack," Dumbledore greeted with a smile.

"You are free," Jack whispered.

"Yes."

"Sirius? The Weasleys? Remus? All of them are also free?"

"Yes, they are," Dumbledore said somberly.

"How long have I been here?"

"A very long time. A couple of weeks in fact. Many had feared that we had lost you." Dumbledore indicated a small bedside table covered with cards and goodies. "Tokens from friends and admirers. After Undertaker's 'reign of terror' ended, the upperclassmen went to enjoy a full day at Hogsmead. I think many of your Gryffindor friends took advantage of that simply to gather some sweets for you. I had no idea until Hermione found out that the Three Broomsticks served ten flavors of non-alcoholic Sake."

Then Jack remembered the stranger, and he looked at Dumbledore sternly. "You lied to me."

"I did not. I had withheld information."

"It comes to the same thing! I was deceived."

"Are you so sure?"

"Yes! All this time, I believed that the One Who You Fear, the one you will not name in public, was Aku. I have seen people who hold Aku in that same esteem. But that night, I have learned that most of your people do not know who Aku is, and I still do not know who is the one who you really fear."

"His name is Voldemort. Years ago, he terrorized Muggles and wizards alike. He is a torturer and a murderer."

"Why did you not tell me?"

"I told you to concentrate on Undertaker, didn't I? But yes, I kept Voldemort's identity secret for a reason. You see Jack, in many ways Voldemort and Aku are the same."

"No! I distinctly saw them that night as two people."

"Think, samurai. They both have insurmountable ambitions. They are both governed by the powers of evil. They are both feared by millions. If I am not mistaken, they share a mutual respect, even though they hate each other. If I told you who Voldemort was from the start, you would not completely understand. But I knew that you knew Aku. I knew if I kept Voldemort's name silent, as others do, you would assume that we spoke of Aku. I wanted to concentrate on Undertaker and learn who he truly was. But, if you happened to meet Voldemort, you would fight him with the same mentality you would as though he were Aku. I was right, wasn't I? You destroyed his wand."

"I suppose you are right."

"It was also for your friends, especially Harry. They needed to understand how dangerous your foe was. It would be perfect if they understood it in the context of Voldemort."

Jack nodded. He wasn't sure he agreed with Dumbledore, but Dumbledore was a wise, old man. "How is it that you knew who Undertaker truly was, and no one else? Are you the only wizard who knows of Aku?"

"I'm one of the few who make it my business to know what is happening outside our world. Many wizards want to cut themselves off from the Muggle world. They do not always pay attention to what is happening in that part of life." Dumbledore paused and shook his head. "Oh Jack, I fear the day is coming soon that they will see how foolish this is. For since Aku rules primarily over Muggle nations, he is only portrayed in the Muggle media."

"Then why did you call on me? I was under the impression that you are a powerful wizard, even Aku acknowledged it. You could have fought him yourself."

"I told you why, Jack. Do you not remember? There was one thing you could do that magic could not."

"But I did not do anything."

"Did you? You did it that night. You were the only one who could take the dark power Aku had put into the children's souls without hurting them."

"I am? How?"

"It is not quite clear, but it has to do with your sword and your determination to destroy Aku. Of course, you could not do it on your own."

"So it was right for me to call on--"

"No, not even the thestrals, your departed friend, or your ancestors could do it. The children had to give it up willingly."

"That must have been difficult."

"I am sure it was, but you got them to do it. That night, you said two most powerful words that I believe have ever been spoken in this castle. It echoed from the astronomy tower to the dungeons, and I felt it make the walls shake."

"This cannot be. I know no magic, and I spoke no magic words."

"It was no incantation. The words were 'I care.' I think at those words, the students woke and realized that though Aku could offer them power, he would take away their emotions. He did not care about their well being, but you did. They let Aku's power go in a way appropriate to their character developed by their houses. Zacharias grew weary of what Aku forced him to do, so he sweated it out. Draco had to fight his greedy ambitions to force out hate, so he coughed it out. Cho, who had long discerned the troubles of being in the bonds of one so evil, cried in shame and washed it out with her tears. As for Harry, the power flowed out of the spot where it was placed, in his scar. He bled. It was not pleasant for any of them, but they were willing to do it because of your concern."

"But what of Professor Snape?"

"What about him?"

"I saw him that night as well. He was helping them guard. I believe he volunteered his services to Undertaker."

"You don't know? Professor Snape was my spy. He pretended to help Undertaker to see what he was really up to. It worked. When Sirius was attacked, he listened to the other three who cast the charm. Then when they were distracted, he used the secret words to free Sirius, and we were able to free everyone who was trapped so well. If I'm not mistaken, he tipped off Myrtle that you were in trouble as well. And I do believe he gave Professor Umbridge a frightening dream that freed you from an unpleasant detention at such an important time."

"But that does not make sense. Just a few days before, he and Undertaker worked together to frame me at the Quidditch match."

"Do you have proof of this?"

"Yes, but it is rather . . . I'll tell you about that later."

"Well, to answer your question, for a long time Professor Snape had been interested in Undertaker's plan. He's always had a fancy for the Dark Arts. I do not know how long they had been conspiring together, but over time Professor Snape began to feel Undertaker's offers were too good to be true. So, we set this up instead."

"Very well. Tell me, how did I renew the curse, or was it Professor Umbridge's doing?"

"I'm not sure if she was responsible for anything that night. I cannot readily explain. Perhaps your ancestors or some kind of supernatural force did have a hand in that in response to your pleas. But I do know that something summoned all of us who had been attacked to fight with you. I even saw many of Voldemort's victims, including Cedric Diggory and Harry's parents."

Jack smiled. His late friend had come through, and Jack's vow before Cho had been fulfilled. "So, I was not losing my mind as I feared."

"Did you really think you would lose your sanity by protecting these children? But even at that, you were protected. Your sword is not a wand at its base like other magic weapons. I believe that it is pure magic. It is one of a kind, and that's why I called for you. You had the sword in your possession, and the discipline and the heart to use it. Even in some circumstances, you could have access to that magic."

"I see. Does Voldemort know the truth about me?"

"Well, it's probably not very hard for him to find out, since you showed him everything that night, and he does have ways of discovering things."

"As what Harry was trying to learn with Professor Snape."

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Voldemort threatened me before I lost consciousness. He said that he will find me, regardless of where or when. I need to know when I travel through time again, just in case we meet so that I will be prepared."

Dumbledore smiled. "It is possible that Voldemort knows the truth, but I would not worry about it."

"Why?"

"You saved his life. When a wizard saves another, it creates a powerful bond between them. It might be even stronger when a Muggle saves a wizard's life because that is so rare."

"I do not understand."

"Yes. It is magic at its deepest, most mysterious and unbreakable. Trust me, Jack. You have nothing to fear. I daresay you might even feel that connection the next time you see Draco, Zacharias, Cho, or Harry. You not only saved their lives last night. Jack, you saved their souls."

Something about the way Dumbledore said that filled Jack with wonder and amazement. But then Dumbledore looked at him seriously. "However, Jack, I feel it is fair for you to know. Draco coughed several times, and the first time he swallowed."

"So, there is still a little bit of Aku in him?"

"Exactly."

Jack sat up straight in his bed. "What should I do?"

"Nothing."

"But Aku still exists within him! That means--"

"Aku will still have a fighting chance. It is possible that Draco will return to Aku and open the door to him again."

"I will not allow that! You can't say I will be idle!"

"Do you not see, samurai? Draco has made his choice. It is sad, but there is nothing you can do. One day he will reap the consequences of his choice, and he will learn how foolish he has acted."

"But what about the rest of mankind, especially your world?"

"Jack, drive it from your mind for now. All things will work out. I only thought you should know."

Jack found it hard to keep from thinking about this ominous news, but then another thought entered his mind. "I have completed my task. Will you now send me home?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Alas, I have still more to do to prepare. I am afraid that I will not be allowed to send you straight home, but I will find a way to at least get you closer. I will send for you when I am ready."

"I understand. May I ask you one more question?"

"Go right ahead."

"Ever since I have come here, I have dreamed dreams. I've never had such visions before. I even dreamed when I was awake, and I believe at one point Sirius and I had the same dream. They were so vivid, so mysterious, and they led to one message. They led me to the truth."

Dumbledore nodded. "Dreams are strange things, are they not? I find it intriguing that Aku chose to work through dreams."

"Where do you suppose my dreams came from? Why were they so intense?"

"I must confess to you, I was largely responsible for your dreams. I used the same techniques that Professor Snape was trying to teach Harry to see into your memories and find moments that would be noticeable to you. I hoped that through this you would understand and see Undertaker for what he really was."

Jack was astonished but somehow understanding. Dumbledore was a very powerful wizard. "You could not have known everything. Did you know what Aku was planning for the sibyl, or what he was going to do to me at the Quidditch match? And how could you have done those most mysterious dreams where you had fled and later captured?"

"Oh, those latter dreams were mostly Firenze's work. It is part of a mysterious, secret centaur trick. I told him what to do, and he took care of the rest."

Jack was speechless. Maybe he was wrong about centaurs after all.

"To answer your first question, I did not know about those events. Some of the dreams I started for you, and they took a life of their own. I could not understand why. It is another mystery. It's possible that when Aku was putting his plan into motion, part of you was tuned in. Perhaps you knew through intuition. I know such strange dreams that tell truth are not uncommon here."

"But does that mean that I . . . "

"That you are not a Muggle after all? It's possible."

"But I am content being a mortal. I have already learned enough. I do not need to know the skills of magic as well."

"Again, this is something that need not trouble you. If you truly have magic power, you can handle it yourself, for it is probably only a small dose. I think you are fine Muggle. I am honored that you came to our aid."

Dumbledore bowed his head, and Jack bowed back. Yet as Dumbledore turned to leave, Jack had more memories come to him. "Sir, do not be upset with me, but I have one more thing to ask."

Dumbledore turned back around. "No trouble at all, my friend. What is it?"

"Harry came to me for aid not too long ago. What was it that he needed? Did he do well without my help?"

Dumbledore bowed his head in sorrow. "I did not want to tell you this right now while you were recovering. Shortly after Harry got out of the hospital wing, Voldemort took control of his mind and made him see things that were not true. Harry believed that his godfather was in danger. Harry had hoped if he was able to ask you to help him, he would have made up for all those days when he was cruel to you. The details of that night should be kept between Harry and me unless he chooses otherwise, but it is enough for you to know the outcome. Sirius is dead."

Silence. Jack turned away. "The innocent are murdered. There is no justice," he muttered.

"Yes, Jack. Sometimes it is true. You can probably imagine, Harry is still taking it very hard."

"Yes."

"When you see him, you might want to talk to him. His friends are avoiding the subject, but I believe he wants someone to talk to."

"I will do what I can, sir." They bowed again, and Dumbledore left.

Jack read through the cards, which basically said, "Get well." They made him smile. He tried some of the sweets, and they were all right. Among other things, he found a box of chocolates with no name. Lavender and Parvati were probably responsible for that. He tried Hermione's Sake, and that was good. He liked Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans; the first bean he tasted was sushi flavored. There was also a basket full of all sorts of strange gadgets, with a note from the Weasley twins, "Thanks for the wake up call. We probably should have listened. We are doing well now, and our business is booming. As a token of our gratitude, we would like you to have a sample of all of our merchandise. Who knows? They might come in handy someday." Thinking about his friends and acquaintances urged Jack to say a final farewell to all of them. He got out of his bed and began to leave.

Madame Pomfrey stopped him right away. "Where do you think you're going? Get back in bed! You need rest!"

"I have rested for weeks. I need to get my strength back, and a walk will do it much better than sleep."

"Very well, but if you collapse, don't come crying to me."

"Samurai?" a hoarse voice rasped behind him. He turned and saw Professor Umbridge resting on a bed. She looked scratched and stiff.

Jack went up to her bed and bowed. "Professor Umbridge. I hoped to find you. I want to thank you for what you have done to help me. I am glad to find you an ally."

"No."

Jack stood and looked at her in shock. Umbridge continued, "Morgan le Fay is my ancestor. One of these days, her realm will return to its former glory, and I will take the throne. I do not have allies. I only took care of Aku so that he would not usurp the power that is rightfully mine. You finish him."

Jack looked her in the eye, not sure what to feel. "Aku will be destroyed by the power of righteousness because of his evil, not to serve your greed. If you truly deserve your place and you will rule with a fair hand, I will support you, but if you are as evil as he is, you will swiftly meet your end." He turned his back on her before she could say another word.

Jack wanted one last look at the castle, from the dungeon to his own common room. So he went down a couple of flights of stairs to the dungeons. He took a walk around the drafty Potions room, looking with interest at the creatures in jars. Then someone cleared his throat behind him. Jack turned to see Snape standing in the doorway, his arms crossed.

"No class today, Samson. Final exams are over."

"I was hoping to see you," Jack answered. "I know that you framed me at the Quidditch match. You taught that specific potion so that you could--"

"And what kind of evidence do you have?"

"Let me speak. I know that you worked with Undertaker for a time. However, I know that several nights ago, you worked on my behalf. You even rescued me from Aku's clutches. Therefore, I forgive you, and I thank you."

Jack bowed low before the professor. As he stood erect again, the professor shook his head. "You are strange one, Samson."

Jack walked closer to him and hissed at him, "That's Samurai to you!"

He walked passed the potions professor and moved for the stairs. Then a plain gray wall slid out to reveal three students.

"Well," a familiar voice sneered, "if it isn't the Mudblood murderer of Undertaker. Wait Crabbe and Goyle. Did I say Mudblood? Oh, I can think of a stronger word than that. MUGGLE! MUGGLE, MUGGLE, MUGGLE!" Crabbe, Goyle, and several other Slytherins screamed the word over and over. They advanced on Jack with their wands brandished. Jack silenced them by beginning to draw his sword. The sound of sliding metal got them on edge.

"Yes, Draco, I am a mortal man, but I am proud. Do you know why? Because I am more than you will ever become, now that you have sold your soul to Aku!"

"Fool!" Draco yelled. "Let me show you what I can do!" He flung his wand, but Jack charged at him and kicked the wand out of Draco's hand. Draco looked very pale with Jack in his face.

"Take me advice. Think before you judge me," Jack said solemnly. "Farewell."

Draco turned, looking for his Slytherin friends, but they had already run off. Draco nervously backed away and joined them.

"Hey Jack!" Ernie and Hannah joined Jack on the staircase.

"Ernie. Are you well?"

"Yes sir."

"How is Zacharias?"

"He's not talking much. He claims he didn't know that anything was going on. He says he remembers waking up and finding himself in odd places, but that was it. He didn't want connections with Undertaker or You-Know-Who or anything. Personally, I don't think--"

"I do not accuse him of anything, and you should not either. It was not of his will."

"Well, I'm not sure if I can trust him again. Not too long after the D.A. fell apart, he admitted to us that he knew Marietta Edgecombe was a scapegoat. He was the . . . " After seeing Jack's warning glare, Ernie trailed off.

"Goodbye, Ernie, Hannah. I enjoyed having class with you."

"You're going?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Well, maybe we'll see you."

"We only wish we got to know you better in MS and D.A.," Hannah blurted out in a trembling voice.

"Yeah, just what I was going to--Hannah, why are you looking at him like that? Are you blushing?"

Hannah turned away and giggled. Ernie frowned.

Jack continued his tour without seeing much of anybody. He quietly walked around the Great Hall and his old classrooms. A few people he didn't know greeted him. He stopped on the second floor to talk to Myrtle. He thanked her for getting him free from the web and forgave her for the Ouija incident.

"By the way," he asked, "when you said on the board for me to look out, what did you mean?"

"Well, you have to keep your eyes open. Death is always around the corner, and it will come for you when you least expect it."

"I . . . will keep that in mind."

Just outside the bathroom was a suit of armor, shaking and shouting from within. Jack shook his head and opened the visor. "All right, you can come out now." Peeves flew out overjoyed. "But you must promise not to hurt Myrtle's feelings."

"No problem, governor," Peeves grinned. He clearly had his fingers crossed behind his back. Jack began to whisper the incantation again. Peeves evidently recognized those words because he shrieked and flew away before Jack could finish.

Jack walked on until he found the Shakespeare statue. He waited outside for a while until somebody finally came out. "Jack? You're better! You should be in the hospital wing."

"Hello, Luna. I was just wondering if I could see Cho."

"She's been in her room for several days. She won't see anyone. She told us that when she had fits that she was trying to get the demon out of her heart by herself. Now, when she says, 'Get out,' she means it."

Jack hung his head. He had hoped to speak to her. "Very well. I understand she has been through much. Could you tell her that I said goodbye?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. What is that paper?"

"Oh. These are signs. People take my possessions and hide them, and I made these signs to ask for them back."

"That is cruel of them. Let me help you."

"No, it's ok. People are mean. They call me 'Loony.'"

"You are not."

"Well, it's not too bad. They take my things, but they always come back in the end."

"I admire your optimism."

"Oh, it's not much. Jack, you're so brave. I don't know how you do it."

Jack put his hand on her shoulder. "You are braver than you think, Luna. You have amazing strength."

Luna smiled. "Well, the Daily Prophet exposed You-Know-Who's return. Now Dad is thinking about writing a cover article about Aku. Would you like to be interviewed?"

"I cannot."

"You're going home?"

"Yes."

"Oh. I'll miss you. Maybe I can come visit."

"I don't think that would be possible."

"I'm sure anything's possible. It would be worth a try. After all, Confucius said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Jack nodded as he reflected on the proverb. "So it does." He told her goodbye, and as he left from there he was surprised to run into the sibyl. She looked more disheveled than usual, and she was out of breath. Evidently, she had been running.

"My dear, thank goodness I have found you."

"What is it, sibyl?"

"I have been so troubled, so I was crystal gazing, and I saw you! In the future!"

Jack held his breath. Had she actually found something? "What happened?"

"I have one important message to give to you."

"Yes?"

She came closer and said softly and dramatically, "Beware a woman in a green dress."

Once again, Jack was disappointed. "Oh? Why?"

"It is not my place to tell you. Fate will reveal it to you in good time."

"I will remember. Thank you." He bowed to her and went on to the Gryffindor common room.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.

"Dragon . . . dragonfly!"

"Close enough. I know it's you." Jack mentally kicked himself for getting it wrong, but the picture opened up to let him in.