Disclaimer: unfortunately… not mine!

A/N: I know it's been a loooong time (years? X.x), but finally after re-reading DH, and after seeing HBP, I decided to continue this story. I hope you enjoy and just a reminder: English is not my first language.

Thanks!

Fears and Hopes

CHAPTER V – Fighting

Snape waved his wand in a contemptuous gesture, seconds later some kind of stretcher appeared just in front of him. "Maybe, he'll be able to accept your 'greater good' theory," He commented while he retired the invisibly cloak that was covering the body lying in the stretcher.

Dumbledore's heart leapt as the cloak fell away. "Harry!" He walked around his desk and hurried to the boy's side.

Severus smiled wryly when he noticed that the eyes of the headmaster had started to twinkle a little bit again, "Then I must suppose I won't have to waste my time trying to convince you that he really IS the spoiled brat."

Dumbledore didn't answer; he waved one of his hands over the child while he looked him over closely. The boy didn't seem to have any visible bruises or injuries but something indeed was wrong with him. Again, Snape's voice took the headmaster out of his thoughts.

"Headmaster..."

"This is not because of the killing curse, Severus" said Dumbledore before Snape could say anything.

"Maybe not solely, but I'm sure it has something to do with it, along with this," He explained as he showed him the book he had brought from the manor.

Dumbledore took the book in his hands, he examined it carefully while he continued listening to the black haired man.

"Bellatrix Lestrange saw Potter standing next to the Minister during the press conference, but at the same time, I found another Potter in the library…"

The older wizard nodded and after several seconds he closed the book angrily, "Ondhro Imperium," he whispered. Seeing the confused face of Severus, he explained, "What Bellatrix Lestrange saw, and therefore what she killed, was just a mere shadow of Harry."

"A shadow… of the Potter boy?" repeated Snape incredulously. "But… Why would the Minister have wanted two boys?"

"Not two… just one. One he was able to manipulate. More precisely, one he could use as he has always wanted to use Harry," Dumbledore continued as he started to pace about the room. He looked like he was desperately trying to make up his mind about something. "As I assumed, he couldn't wake Harry… and took advantage of the circumstances. They created the other Harry that we saw."

Snape looked at him with disbelief, "I think you're giving Scrimgeour too much credit. As far as I know, this is ancient magic… maybe dark magic! Those kind of spells demand great skill… and power… it's nearly impossible…"

"Difficult indeed… but not impossible, Severus." Dumbledore stopped in front of the stretcher again, he remained in silence for a couple of minutes, and then, like he had finally made a decision, he waved his wand directly at the stretcher. "There are also some people that do not understand there is some kind of magic that should not be used." he added while he walked towards his room, followed by the stretcher.

"So… what about Potter?" Snape followed the elder wizard to the room. "If that 'shadow' is 'gone', then… the boy is going to–"

"That's a possibility I'm not willing to consider."

"What are you talking about?" Snape asked abruptly. He looked on while the headmaster levitated Harry from the stretcher to the bed. "That thing was part of him… That means, part of him died with that 'shadow'… nobody can live like that."

"I wouldn't venture to say that."

"You're not serious!" Snape looked astonished. "You're not in any shape to do…"

"I'm doing this Severus," Interrupted the elder wizard sharply. He seized Harry's forearm and held it firmly, "Now, I will have to ask you to leave this room, I'm afraid the magic I'm about to use, could harm you if you stay…"

The ex-potions master looked at the headmaster incredulously as he started to move his wand in an intricate pattern, drawing some kind of golden bond around their arms.

"Severus…" The headmaster insisted.

Without another word, Snape turned abruptly and walked out of the room.

When the door closed behind Snape, Dumbledore tightened his grip on Harry's forearm, and the golden bond that had started to encircle both their arms now turned red. After some seconds the elder wizard closed his eyes and started to summon all his magic, focusing it around the boy.

»«

Hermione entered the Great Hall, closing the doors behind her. Her eyes traveled from the ceiling, which was as cloudy as the sky outside the castle, to the DA's members that were sitting around the room. "Dumbledore is in the castle," she said finally.

"How do you know?" Ron asked with incredulity.

"Peeves told me" Hermione sighed and sat down next to Ginny. "He saw when he arrived at the castle about an hour ago."

"But what about the rest of the Order?" Neville asked nervously.

"I don't think they have returned… yet, you know..." Luna played distractedly with her pumpkin juice while she closed the Quibbler copy she'd been reading. "They must be delayed because of…"

"Nargles?" Ron interrupted sarcastically. "Did the nargles tell you the broomstick highway is blocked?" He asked, Luna's apparent calm state driving him crazy.

Luna was silent for a few seconds, but then spoke dreamily, making the red haired boy chuckle, "Nargles don't do that."

"Ron, enough! Everyone here is as worried as you are!" said Hermione sharply. "You don't have to be that mean."

"Sorry ma'am…" Replied Ron almost instantly, his voice small.

Hermione sighed and continued, "Maybe Professor Dumbledore returned just to check on Professor McGonagall; maybe she'll need to be taken to St. Mungo's Hospital after all."

"But then, what about Harry?" Ginny looked at Hermione. "If they found him at the manor, don't you think the Headmaster would have returned with him?"

"Maybe he's coming with the rest of the Order. We just have to wait, as we were told." Neville said.

"Neville, it's past midnight, we've waited for like four hours! I can't wait any longer!" Ginny stood up, and looked at everyone. "I'm going to see the Headmaster." She walked towards the Great Hall doors. The red-head opened them to find Alastor Moody standing in front of her.

"I hope you're thinking about going to bed, Ms. Weasley," Said Moody, while he leaned on his long staff and stared at Ginny sternly. Moments later, Molly Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks were at his side.

Ginny stared at her mom. She seemed to be alright, although she looked very sad. "Mom… are you OK?"

Molly nodded as best as she could, "We need the Great Hall darling, it will be better if all of you go to the Gryffindor Tower."

"But, Mom!" The red-head replied. "You have–."

"No buts, Ginny. It's getting late and you should be in bed. Tonks will take you there."

Looking at the stern looks on both Molly's and Moody's faces, the DA exchanged glances.

"Professor Moody…" Hermione turned towards the ex-auror, "Please, tell us: is Harry all right?"

"I think… I'll turn you all into ferrets if you–!"

"Alastor!"

After hearing Molly's voice, Moody just waved his staff, pointing it at the doors, "Off to bed with all of you!" He stopped Tonks when she turned, ready to follow them, "I'll escort them, Nymphadora. You stay here," He added, as Tonks glared at him furiously, her hair turning red.

Minutes later, a defeated D.A. was walking towards Gryffindor tower, followed by Moody.

»«

"…Expelliarmus!…"

…Harry felt his body become rigid. Seconds later, he was falling against the tower wall, unable to move or speak…

"Severus… please…"

…Harry looked at Dumbledore; Snape was walking slowly towards him, the wand in his hand pointing directly at the headmaster, "No!"

"…Avada…"

" Harry… trust me…"

" Kevadra…"

" NOOOO!"…

As he woke up, Harry jumped out of the bed, his legs instantly failing him and sending him once more right onto the floor. The boy curled up while he tried to catch his breath.

"I must admit you have a quite interesting way of waking up Potter." muttered a familiar sarcastic voice.

Harry turned his eyes to find Severus Snape standing just beside the door of the room. The teenager didn't respond to the comment, instead, he looked around searching desperately for his wand. It seemed like he was in a room of Hogwarts' castle—but which one? He stared at the familiar carpet where he was lying. It reminded him a lot of the pattern that decorated the floor of Dumbledore's office. Just as his musings were directing his thoughts towards the obvious, he localized his wand.

"The cat caught your tongue, Mr. Potter?"

Harry turned again towards Snape, just to find him kneeling at his side; the boy tightened his fist while his eyes filled with hate. The image of Snape pointing his wand at Dumbledore crossed his mind and then the beast inside him finally exploded. "I'll kill you!" In matter of seconds the wand that had been lying on the night table flew to his hand. He pointed directly at Snape's face and screamed, "Stupefy!"

Severus backed off and waved his wand just in time to repel the attack. He fixed his eyes on the boy who was now leaning against one of the walls, trying to get onto his feet.

"Expelliarmus!"

Again Snape had just one second to defend himself; he stared at the teenager. "Potter, this is enough–," before he could finish, Harry turned again towards him, waving his wand furiously.

"Stupefy! Reducto! Impedimenta!" Harry sent spell after spell, at the same time the walls and the room itself started to shake. "STUPEFY! SECTUMSEMPRA! CRU–" Harry tried to leave the wall where he was leaning, but a couple of steps later, his legs buckled again under his weight. Completely out of breath, he was forced to stop the attack.

Snape was speechless; he couldn't believe the power and the speed at which every curse had been thrown. Although he'd used his best defensive skills, he'd just been able to defend himself and he'd been practically cornered against the wall in the process. His eyes settled again on Harry, when the boy somehow stood up again.

"FIGHT BACK!" shouted Harry angrily, once more the room started to shake slightly. "You coward!"

"Harry"

Harry froze completely as he recognized the voice; he turned slowly towards the bedroom's door just to find Albus Dumbledore standing there. "Stop Harry…" He whispered.

Although he was looking his headmaster straight into his deep blue eyes, Harry was shocked and out of words. After some time, the boy lost his grip on his wand, allowing it to fell silently to the floor, at the very same time the room stopped shaking.

"I thought you would be resting, Headmaster." The unusually worried voice of the ex-potions master broke the silence that had fallen in the room.

Dumbledore turned towards Snape and looked at him sternly, "I'm afraid I forgot I can't let both of you alone in the same room." Without waiting for an answer, the elder wizard started to walk to Harry, "Severus, could you give us a moment please?"

The black haired man merely nodded, and after a last look at Harry, he lowered his wand and then left the room.

The old wizard summoned the wand lying on the floor and then, putting one arm over Harry's shoulders, he guided him back to bed and made him sit down over the edge. "How are you feeling, Harry?" he asked looking down at him.

The teenager was not nearly ready to find his voice; his head was trying to process everything that had just happened. Moments ago he had been filled with the same feelings of pain, grieve and loss he had felt when he had lost Sirius, but now he felt too numb to feel anything at all.

"Harry?"

Harry's eyes traveled from the hands that were resting over his shoulders to the eyes that were peering at him over the top of the so familiar half-moon spectacles. The old wizard indeed looked pale as he had ever seen him, but he was very much alive, and the look the elder wizard was giving Harry told him that he was waiting for an answer. "… " Harry blinked, and to his embarrassment his eyes burned suddenly. Feeling they were about to become rather watery, he tightened his fist with all the strength that was left in him and looked hastily down at his knees.

Understanding his silence and seeing the couple of tears that were trickling down his face, Dumbledore just held the boy tightly.

»«

Kingsley stepped again into the Great Hall and then looked at the members of the Order of the Phoenix who had settled their eyes on him, "He's on the antechamber of the Great Hall now."

Lupin who had been looking at the Forbidden Forest through the windows, smiled sarcastically. "Great! That is very appropriate…" he turned to the rest of the Order, "Or thinking about it, why don't we use the Room of Requirement instead?"

Tonks walked towards him and seized one of his arms. "Remus," she muttered, trying to calm him down. "We took Harry's body there because of the children… we don't want them to find out until–."

"That's precisely why I don't understand! We shouldn't have brought him here."

Molly, who was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the staff table sighed tiredly and simply answered, "Albus asked us to."

Remus held Tonk's hand slightly and then fixed his eyes on Gryffindor's table, "He knows better than anyone that Harry should be buried WITH his parents…"

"Of course he knows," Moody replied. "And he also is remembering that a certain dark wizard is still out and maybe he would want to use Harry's bo–."

"Stop it!" Molly yelled, standing up. "We don't need that right now." She looked at Lupin. "Calm down Remus, we will wait for Albus and then we will decide what we're doing."

Kingsley crossed his arms over his chest, "Madam Pomfrey said he checked on Minerva when he arrived to the castle, then he went to his office. Maybe,–."

"He's been locked up there for hours!"

"Remus, really! Stop it!" This time it was Tonks who blurted out before Molly could say something; she looked straight into his eyes, "Think about what happened these past couple of days, about what happened tonight and try to understand him! He's an old man… and right now I'm sure he needs a break. We ALL need a break."

Lupin closed his eyes, and after some seconds he whispered an apology.

Arthur, who had remained silent, stood up and came closer to his wife, "And so… I think we'll be taking it; as it seems tomorrow we'll be… well, you know."

Kingsley nodded slightly, "You all go. I'll stay here, in case the Headmaster comes. That way I'll be able to watch the antechamber also." The auror looked at Nymphadora. "Tonks can watch Gryffindor tower."

"There's no need for that… since the castle is empty we'll all be staying there," replied Molly.

"Oh no, I'm staying right here," Moody smiled slightly. "There is no way I'm leaving Shacklebolt; someone has to make sure he doesn't fall sleep."

Tonks looked at him sternly and shook her head slightly.

»«

Harry stared out the window, he fixed his eyes at the cool line of light blue that was forming along the horizon. He had been able to sleep for a couple of hours but finally all the questions in his mind had taken him out of his dreams. He had passed another hour trying to regain all his strength to get out of bed. Seeing that the castle's grounds were becoming lighter, he walked slowly out of the bedroom and into the headmaster's office. Although the hour was late, Albus Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, writing a letter.

The boy remained silent; he looked around to make sure they were alone and then he stared again at the elder wizard. "Professor?"

"Harry?" the headmaster answered without looking up, "It's a little early for you to be up already, don't you think?" he asked kindly.

"I couldn't sleep anymore Sir," This time Dumbledore turned his eyes to stare up at Harry. "I have… a lot of things on my mind."

The elder wizard smiled slightly, "I think that is to be expected, my boy," he closed the letter he'd been writing and gestured for Harry to sit down. "How are you feeling?"

The teenager felt some kind of déjà vu. Knowing he was more-or-less being X-rayed, Harry stared back at Dumbledore. Somehow he knew that, depending on his answer, it would be decided whether he stayed or was sent back to bed. After some seconds he merely nodded.

Looking at the boy carefully, the headmaster was nearly able to read Harry's thoughts. He sighed and drew his wand, then conjured two cups of hot chocolate. "Drink this Harry… it will help you to go back to sleep. You still need to rest."

Harry looked at the cup apprehensively. Going back to sleep was definitely not an option when he had so many questions on his mind. "But… Sir…" he started tentatively, looking from the cup to the Headmaster, "Are you going to… explain–?"

The elder wizard nodded gently, "I will Harry, although, as you may be guessing, I'm not telling you everything right now."

Harry just nodded again. He already knew that with Dumbledore, getting some answers was definitely better than getting none. He took the cup in his hands finally and then he stared at the steam coming from the hot chocolate. "The attack..." he whispered as he tightened his grip on the cup.

Dumbledore took a deep breath, "Thanks to the Order and to certain students known as the 'D.A.', we were able to handle the situation."

"I asked them to…," Harry mumbled shamefacedly.

"I must say they were very brave… and also…very lucky," Dumbledore stared at Harry while he raised one of his eyebrows. "You'll be glad to hear they are all alright. We had only two injured: Neville Longbottom and Bill Weasley. Mr. Longbottom has made a full recovery and right now, I'm expecting Madam Pomfrey to inform me about Mr. Weasley's condition."

Harry could feel guilt starting to fill his chest, but after a moment he relaxed a little. Somehow, he knew the man in front of him would not be asking him any explanations about that right now.

"After the attack," Dumbledore continued, "and with all the students going back to their homes, the Minister showed, once more, his well-known interest to examine my decisions concerning the running of the school. He also expressed his desire to take you out of Hogwarts and into the Ministry's custody, of course all for your own 'safety.'"

"What?" asked Harry with incredulity.

"Since you were injured… and well, like it had been shown, I wasn't able to protect the school, including you, as I was supposed to–"

"You were too weak!" Harry blurted out. "You were ill because of the potion!"

"You're very kind Harry," said Dumbledore softly while he stood up, "but the fact that the Minister was able to take you out of Hogwarts shows us he was not completely wrong." He raised his hand for silence before Harry could say something else. When the boy just closed his mouth, Dumbledore turned towards the window and stared out at the castle's grounds. "So, Rufus took you from Hogwarts to the Minister's House—but unfortunately for him, Voldemort had decided to strike again, this time at the Minister himself. Death eaters attacked the manor and somehow, during the battle –where of course you were present but unconscious– things 'happened' in such a way, that a certain Death Eater was convinced she killed you."

"But– How? Who?"

The headmaster turned towards Harry, "I'm afraid, this will be one of the things we'll be talking about later, my child." Dumbledore walked back to his chair and leaned against it. "You'll see Harry, the important fact here is: although we both know that certainly you're not dead, the Wizarding world—and Voldemort as well—believes you are."

"They believe I'm dead?" Harry repeated astonished.

Dumbledore simply nodded, "And I believe our best chances are lying on taking advantage of this confusion."

"You mean…"

"We won't clarify that you are alive."

Harry looked at him worriedly, "But then Voldemort will come here again! If he believes I'm dead, you'll be the only one standing between him and the seizure of the magical world!"

Dumbledore nodded calmly, "Certainly… although the Minis–."

"But, Sir! You can't…"

"Harry, if Voldemort wants to seize the school as he'd planned, he will take time to review every single detail for the next move. Otherwise, he will fail again… that will give us time to act under our little cover."

Harry sighed with frustration; he wondered if Hogwarts or Dumbledore himself could stand another attack. Then, suddenly, the last word of the headmaster hit him with the full weight of what they should do. "Then… Ginny… Ron and Hermione… they also believe…" he trailed off, the mere thought of Ginny taking his breath away. How could he deceive her like that? And what about Ron or Hermione? Almost immediately, he answered his own question: it would be safer for Ginny and for everyone else to be as far away from him as it was possible.

"We are not doing this because of why you're thinking," Dumbledore interrupted him. "And I would be very thankful if you took that out of your mind. I know this will be hard for you… and them…"

"I'll do it."

The Headmaster surveyed Harry, he sighed and although he wasn't convinced at all, he nodded; there was a little silence, and then he continued, "Now, before you go back to bed, I believe we should have a little conversation regarding certain details."

Although Dumbledore didn't sound angry, Harry could felt again the same sensation he had when the headmaster had asked him about his first attempt on retrieving Slughorn's memory. An uncomfortable silence was starting to fall between them; trying to avoid it at all cost Harry muttered, "You look disappointed, Sir." he said as he looked straight into Dumbledore's eyes.

"As a matter of a fact, I am."

The answer was short, and Harry knew exactly what it was all about: he had broken the promise he had made before they left for the cave.

The headmaster remained in silence for a couple of minutes and then he spoke again, "Harry, I want you to understand–."

"I am not sorry… Sir," interrupted Harry before he could stop himself.

"Certainly, I know you are not," said the elder wizard matter-of-factly.

Harry blushed; sometimes it was really weird the way the headmaster had learned to read his thoughts as if they belonged to him. When he couldn't stand Dumbledore's intense gaze any longer, the boy stared at the headmaster's blackened, burned-looking hand and then at his own knees.

"Harry..."

"I didn't promise to sit and watch you die," said Harry stiffly before the headmaster could say something else.

They both sat for what seemed to be ages for Harry. He was wondering if he had gone too far… again. It seemed like with his silence the elder wizard was trying to corner him, but this time he wasn't allowing it. He had meant every word: he wasn't sorry. Yes, he had broken the promise… but he'd had a reason: Snape had being about to kill Dumbledore and the old man had just immobilized him, taking him out of the game. Harry tightened his fists, and again he could feel the anger starting to bubble inside of him. Why hadn't Dumbledore allowed him to fight at his side?

"Harry, listen to me…"

"You paralyzed me!" Harry finally blurted out while he stood up. " And… And… you pretended I would just stay there, watching?"

"I asked you to trust me."

"I do trust you!"

"Then–,"

"I…. I'VE JUST HAD ENOUGH!" cried Harry, "I'VE HAD ENOUGH WATCHING THOSE WHO I LOVE DIE!"

The Headmaster, who just a moment ago was about to answer, was now speechless. They stared at each other while the office remained in absolute silence again. Harry could see the expression in Dumbledore's eyes had changed completely, his eyes now looked rather watery. Harry breathed deeply in an effort to steady himself, but it didn't work. He closed his eyes, his head was pounding badly and he was starting to feel sick. He leaned against one of the chairs.

"Harry…"

"You were the target after all…" the boy tried to continue but it was useless. When his knees were about to yield under his weight, he felt a strong hand stopping him from slipping down to the floor.

"Snape..."

"Professor Snape," Dumbledore corrected the boy gently while he put his free hand on Harry's forehead. "You must calm down, Harry. I'm afraid I'll have to leave our conversation until I believe you are capable to speak without passing out."

Harry stared weakly at the Headmaster once more. Although his voice had been steady, a couple of tears were sparkling in his eyes. Seeing the concerned frown on the elder wizard, he knew he couldn't argue anymore with the man.

Pulling him upright, Dumbledore watched as the boy fought to keep his eyes open, "Let go Harry… you need to rest."

"n't go…"

"I won't Harry."

To be continued

»«

Written: March 22, 2009

Edited: December 10, 2010

Thanks to my wonderful beta-reader: Emeralds and Rubies

And thanx for all your reviews.