A challenge from DLP requiring the use of the phrase, "You'll either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." One shot. I may turn it into a full story later on. Enjoy!

Incorruptible

They were fused together, bound by pain, and there was no escape-

And when the creature spoke, it used Harry's mouth, so that in his agony he felt his jaw move…

"If death is nothing, Dumbledore, kill the boy…"

Dumbledore scanned the room, eyes searching for something hidden, while a foreign language left his tongue. Through the pain, Harry felt his eyes open and saw the tall wizard glancing frantically around the Atrium. Hatred and pent-up emotions rose to the surface, years of torture endured at the Dursleys and at the orphanage, the filthy muggles…

The need to punish Dumbledore became all encompassing. A foreign emotion entered him. He wanted the old man to hurt, to scream in agony.

Holly and phoenix feather turned against the tall wizard, 'Greatness shall befall you, Tom Riddle,' said Ollivander, and he yelled "Crucio!"

The Unforgivable Curse echoed around the Atrium and Dumbledore dove to the side at the last second, belying his advanced age. The creature brought a memory to the surface and Harry recalled the torment, freak they called him, just like Dennis and Amy Bishop. Anger filled his mind and the pain lessened.

"Harry, get a hold of yourself," exclaimed Dumbledore, fear and sadness lined his face. "You must repel him from your mind, think! Think of Sirius!"

Flashes of Sirius filled his mind. A Firebolt, a present at Christmas, red eyes turned green and a tear came loose. Dumbledore approached cautiously, his left hand raised and wand sitting loosely in the other.

"That's it Harry, you must remember. He cared about you deeply." The headmaster's voice was soft and calm, almost soothing even. Harry's scar erupted in white hot agony.

Manipulation and Diversion! He doesn't care what you feel. Visions of Dumbledore avoiding him filled Harry's mind. The cold attitude, the distant disposition, all led to proof that the old man sought to manipulate him in this moment. It was Dumbledore's fault. Sirius left because he was tired of being locked up. He traded one prison for another. Harry's vision turned red and anger manifested itself into being.

An Impulse Jinx snapped forward to meet the bearded wizard, only to be deflected by a Protego. Desperate to get through to the young teen, Dumbledore pressed forth with a verbal response.

"Close your mind, Harry! Let me help you."

Help you? He has hurt you more than you have ever imagined. Eleven years in a cupboard with the Dursleys, treated like an aberration, and causing the death of Sirius Black. Strike him down. He will discard you when your purpose ends.

An image took shape in his mind of an Elbow disfigurement curse used on criminals in Albania. Harry mentally incanted the non-verbal curse and it rocketed out of his wand, leaving blue motes behind.

There was a bright flash as Dumbledore spelled the curse away. He leapt to action, a powerful jinx shot off with a bang. A memory of a younger Dumbledore took shape in Harry's mind. Conjuration of precious metals should only be…utmost caution…with blazing speed, a shining silver shield materialized out of thin air. The jinx struck the curved shield with a deep gong and blew it inwards so that it was now concave.

The former Supreme Mugwump opened his mouth but was cut off as water from the Atrium fountain shot forward and trapped the wizard in a swirling globe of liquid. There was a thunderous boom as lighting left Harry's wand but the wizard Disapparated.

Harry glanced frantically around the Atrium and roared, "Show yourself!"

The headmaster responded a moment later with Stunner and glowing golden ropes. Before the spells could hit him, Harry spun on the spot and Disapparated away. A moment later the darkness receded and the coils around his chest relaxed. The Curse of Blindness shot towards the venerable warlock's back but his elation was dashed when the curse collided with a blazing azure globe of protection. As if in prayer, Dumbledore gripped his wand with both hands before raising it to the heavens. The wand sliced downward as a beam of pure white light rocketed towards the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry crouched, and then jumped over the burning hot spell.

"Oh no, no, no, Dumbledore," chuckled Harry. "Just when the fun was about to start. Tell me, have you thought what you would do if the Ministry fell? Can you see the chaos? The sheep, when provided with order and control, fall happily in line. But when it falls apart, so do they. Do you know what it would take to turn them against each other?"

Harry raised his eyes to meet Dumbledore and the Master Legilimens spotted a glimpse of his thoughts.

"Ah, what is the saying Headmaster?" He mocked the warlock before responding to his own question. "Like whipping three muggles with one spell. Your father's own words?"

"That will not happen, Tom. I won't allow that to pass," Dumbledore replied with great force.

"Then stop me. We both know you won't hurt us. Precious Harry Potter, to what length would you go through to protect him," taunted the raven haired wizard.

Cold fury masked the old warlock and he responded by simultaneously Vanishing the air and charming it to repel away from the teen. The wizard was trapped inside the resulting vacuum.

Instantly, Harry held his breath, realizing that there was not much time before this duel would be over. His eyes widened as a memory rose to the surface…With Transfiguration, one can increase the amount, and even change the very nature of the material you start with… and armed with that knowledge, set forth to acquire oxygen. Harry's outer robes split and lengthened while wrapping themselves around his head. A Bubble Head charm popped into existence as the black robes faded to nothingness. Enough air to verbalize several spells but only one was required…

He opened himself to hatred, hatred of the person and of their mediocrity, and the desire to end a person's life. A multitude of visions entered his head, conflicting emotions raging inside of him and Harry incanted the final spell.

"Avada-" Harry began as a shrilling violet beam erupted from Dumbledore's wand, but it was too late.

"-Kedavra!" The violet color curse slammed into Harry's arm, rupturing the muscle and twisting the bone, a mere second before the Unforgivable left his wand.

I am triumphant! A deep and agonizing pain could be felt in his wand arm and Harry plastered a triumphant grin on his face. A bronze statue crashed in front of Dumbledore, ready to take the curse for its master, only for the Unforgivable to miss and streak by the animated guardian. Dumbledore's cold fury vanished, crumbling into shock, horror, and then defeat. Likewise, Harry underwent a similar transformation, victory was replaced by fear and remorse as ruby orbs turned emerald green.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, crashed to the ground with a thud. His features, frozen in death, spoke of terror and shock. This look was mirrored by the various Ministry workers who had witnessed the clash. To further agitate their bewildered state, Voldemort appeared without a sound at the foot of the former Minister. He glanced around the Atrium, causing many to scream in fright and seek escape. Others were rooted in their fear and watched the scene unfold. Voldemort gave Harry an exultant grin that looked gruesome on the reptillian face. Ignoring the bystanders, he addressed Harry in Parseltongue.

"In the end Harry Potter, you'll either die a hero or you'll live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

"Well done, Harry Potter." The English words echoed in Ministry workers' minds and destroyed the morale of many.

The Dark Lord raised his wand and with a great bellow, the Dark Mark materialized just below the roof of the Atrium, marking the downfall of three wizards who had tried to resist him. Several powerful spells rushed forth from Dumbledore's wand but the dark wizard was already gone, leaving nothing behind but the ethereal illumination from his Dark Mark.