By his own hand

Chapter six

Before Albus had spoken to everyone in the great hall he had taken Poppy aside, who after hearing what Harry had said and after seeing the scars that covered his body, she agreed to stay silent. She helped keep the two healers backs to Albus and Severus as they cast their obliviate charms. Severus had them confunded then took them to a secluded part in St Mungo’s and added new memories to them before he flooed back into the hospital wing. The memory he added was the golem of Harry Potter, a dead Harry Potter. The three of them were going to make sure Harry finally got the life he deserved.

The fake dead body of Harry Potter was laid out on the bed. The golem looked exactly like Harry in every way, even down to the hole in the side of his head that the gun had caused. The changing, but very much alive Harry was safely hidden inside Poppy’s’ private chambers. He still needed to heal and the three that knew he was alive had no idea if he would be the same or if he would have any type of problems. Poppy was concerned about brain damage, the potions were working, mending everything it could, but she had no idea if it would be enough. They would not know anything until he woke up.

Albus had praised Severus for how he tried to help Harry, especially his words. He knew if Voldemort returned, Severus could never return as a spy. Work would get back to the dark lord on everything Severus said. But Albus was not going to put another person in danger, not after Harry. He would keep Severus at the castle but work on ways the man could leave, to have a life away from the castle and students.

Albus went to inform the students that Harry Potter was dead. Then he had to tell the ministry before he had to make a very difficult visit to tell Sirius and Remus what had taken place.

Albus had spoken to one of his contact, a goblin who Albus had saved many years before. He explained the situation and told him the truth, the goblin checked the will that Harry had made out. He automatically transferred everything from the Potter vaults to another, the trust vault will be left so everyone would believe that is what Harry meant about the money going to orphanages. The new vault was given a number and the key was handed to Albus. When they worked on a new name for Harry then it would be connected to the vault. When Albus finished speaking with the goblin he knew it was time to speak with Sirius and Remus.

Albus stepped out of the fireplace into an empty living room, he flicked his wand which told him that Sirius, Remus and Tonks were in the kitchen. He didn’t expect Tonks and he couldn’t risk telling her. She was an auror and made oaths to the ministry. It wasn't a risk Albus was willing to take. He stood just outside the door then sent a compulsion charm at the young woman. He waited until she left before he stepped into the kitchen.

‘Albus, we didn’t expect you, not the night before the first task.’ Sirius said.

‘I have some bad news,’ Albus sighed as he sat down.

‘Is this about trying to get Harry out of competing?’ Remus asked.

‘No, as you know he disappeared that night but I do know he was inside the castle. Well, all of us were sent a note saying there was danger and to head to the great hall. Within seconds after everyone got inside the great hall, Harry appeared. The room sealed, no one could get the doors opened. Harry had what’s called a dead man’s switch in his hand.’

‘What’s a dead man’s switch?’ Sirius asked.

‘If anyone did anything to Harry his finger would release and Hogwarts would be blow up.’

‘What?!!!!! Sirius and Remus yelled.

‘He blew up the castle?’ Sirius asked.

‘No, he blew up my office, the other bombs he said that he had weren’t there, he lied. The man we thought was Alastor Moody wasn’t. Harry asked for three people to join him or everyone would die. Severus, Draco and Alastor, the moment they got near him Harry shot Alastor in the head, killing him instantly then turned the gun on Draco. He never killed anyone else and the one he did kill was Barty Crouch Jr, not Alastor. It was he who put Harry’s name in the cup. He planned to make Harry win which would make him touch the cup, he would be transported to a graveyard where Peter was waiting with Voldemort. They planned to do a dark ritual, Harry’s blood was needed, blood of the enemy, but blood that had Lily’s protection. Harry stunned the real Moody and placed him in the hospital before we saw him.’

‘So he’s been arrested, you have to help him Albus,’ Sirius said urgently.

‘I’m so sorry, Harry shot himself in the head, everyone believes he died,’ Albus hated seeing Sirius and Remus in so much pain. Hopefully when they got Harry away from Hogwarts, they could help him heal. But Albus also knew that when the three of them were together, the three of them would heal.

‘What do you mean everyone believes he died?’ Remus asked in a shaky voice.

‘Because of what happened and some of things he was saying, we knew he would end up in Azkaban. Severus helped me fake Harry’s death. There is a golem now laid out in the hospital so everyone will believe he died. Harry is in Poppy’s quarters. But no one can ever know he is alive. I will explain more later. But know when Harry is well enough, you and Remus are going to sneak Harry out of the country. Take him to the island, take him away from all the memories.’

‘Why would he try to kill himself?’ Remus asked.

‘He was suffering, but we found out that the Dursley’s have been abusing him his whole life. When his name came out of the goblet of fire, it was just the final straw. We can talk later, for now let’s go see Harry. Just remember, everyone must believe he died. Follow me. I will allow you to organise the funeral, I will just have to be the one to do it.’

‘Everyone will want Harry with James and Lily,’ Remus said.

'Yes, that's where he will be buried, or everyone will believe that's where he's buried,' Albus sighed then led the two men through the fireplace. Sirius changed into Padfoot before they continued on to the hospital and into Poppy’s chambers. He stopped before opening the bedroom door.

‘He left this, it will be painful to read,’ Albus held out the letter, as Sirius was in his dog form Remus took it and began to read.

“It hurts to know that I wasn’t loved. The pain of being dumped, the pain of being betrayed, the pain of knowing I wasn’t wanted. The physical pain the muggles put me through, the emotional pain I endured over the last few years. All that finally got too much, I tried, I really tried to go on, but I couldn’t. I killed the muggles a week ago, stabbed my cousin multiple times until he was just a bloody mess, then I cut Petunia and Vernon’s throats. With Petunia, I didn’t go too deep but deep enough to kill her, I just wanted her to suffer first. I told her that Dudley was dead, I always thought I’ve feel joy at seeing how much pain that made her feel, I felt nothing.

“While I was putting my plans into action, I thought about everything. First I found out that I was dumped on a doorstep with a note stuck to me, the great and powerful Albus Dumblefuck left me like that right after my parents were murdered. My so called head of house was also there and agreed to leave me like that. I find out in my third year that Remus Lupin was friends with my parents, he deserted me as well, left me to be abused. I think my parents would be ashamed of him, I know I am. Then we have Sirius Black, okay, he was locked up, but he didn’t bother escaping until he heard that Pettigrew was with Ron at Hogwarts, he never thought about me, just revenge.

“I find out I’m entered into the triwizard tournament and most of the school turn their backs on me, but my so called best friend didn’t believe me. It showed no one really cared, no one ever did, not since my parents died. So I’m going to make sure some people know it’s there fault that I died and if Voldemort returns then he will rule the world since the prophecy says I’m the only one that can kill him. He will be back within weeks, I might see some of you sooner than I think, when he kills you. At least I’m going to die quickly, he won’t let any of you die without inflicting as much pain on you as he can. I blame all of you for the pain in my life, I know my parents who gave their lives for me will blame you as well. They died and my mother kept protecting me in the hope I would life. I've never really lived so it's time to join them, the only people who ever loved me.’

Remus heard Sirius whine, he sniffed, but all he could do was stare at the words Harry had written. Harry had been right, he left Harry, deserted him right after his parents had died. He also knew Harry was right about Sirius, he didn’t bother to escape until he read about peter. The people who were supposed to love and care for Harry abandoned him. Harry tried to kill himself and when he is well he could try again.

Albus could tell that Remus and Sirius were feeling guilty, just as he was. He never stopped any of the harassment Harry was put through. He knew the Dursley’s did not like Harry, he just never suspected that Harry’s muggle relatives abused him. He sighed then pushed the door open, he allowed the dog and the man to enter before he followed them, then gestured to the room behind Poppy’s office.

Albus put his hand on the door handle, ‘Poppy did what she could but the injury caused by the muggle weapon is still quite visible, it is not a nice sight,’ he received a nod from Remus then opened the door.

Sirius changed, ‘Harry,’ he cried and flung himself across his godson’s body, ‘I’m so sorry, so sorry.’

Remus stared down at his best friend who was crying over Harry, ‘You said he shot himself.’

‘With a muggle gun, the two healers with Poppy tried, he died twice. He would have died but Fawkes came. That’s the second time Fawkes has saved Harry. The first time was in his second year. I will be outside, I’ll let you have some time with Harry then we will need to organise his funeral.’

Albus looked once more down at the fourteen year old Harry Potter. He looked peaceful, yet Albus knew Harry was anything but peaceful.

As he went to see if anything was left in his office, all Albus could think about was Harry and if he would be healthy. All Albus could hope for now was for Harry to finally have some type of life without pain. When Harry woke, if he woke, then they will know if Harry will be well.