Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Choice ❯ Prologue ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

When Dumbledore told him Harry had a choice his first instinct wasn’t, surprisingly to him, to go back and save his friends. He had saved the day so to speak. Voldemort would be a good deal weaker now that the Horcrux in him was gone and Harry trusted that Neville/Ron/Hermione would take care of Nagini. After that Voldemort would be weakened enough to kill. He trusted the others to win in his stead and he trusted Hermione would be curious enough to take a peek in the Pensive. She’d see the memories and explain Harry’s death to the others. She’d make sure Snape got the recognition he deserved. Ginny, it didn’t hurt so much to think of her now, Ginny would move on. As much as it hurt to think of her dating, or even marrying, someone else it would be better for her. He would be able to take care of her, to focus all his attention on her, he certainly wouldn’t be the Savior of a nation and Ginny could have a normal life. Ginny deserved a normal peaceful life. As Harry considered this, as much as he knew everyone would miss him, he also knew that he didn’t need to go.

Dumbledore seemed to sense when Harry came to his conclusion. When he smiled, Harry returned it. “I want peace.” Dumbledore nodded sagely and stood.

“Sir, I’m not done.” Harry warned taking a step away from his old teacher. Dumbledore gave him a calm look and noticing were Harry’s gaze strayed shook his head. Before he could comment Harry cut in.

“I know you said it can’t be helped, but I can’t just leave him. He’s only a baby.” Harry told him, looking up at Dumbledore pleadingly. Dumbledore sighed, seeming to know Harry would do it anyway and with this semi-blessing Harry went to pick up the Baby Voldemort. He shuddered at the thought of touching it and suddenly a blanket lay beside him.

As Harry picked up the mutilated creature he immediately sensed magic in the air. It wasn’t really doing anything yet but Harry could feel its presence as if it was a large creature waiting to react to whatever Harry’s actions were. Harry frowned a little unease and began to walk to Dumbledore, who was watching him blue eyes wide and a little bemused. As Harry grew closer the magic grew more and more intense until it almost felt like it was brushing around Harry like walking through grass that grew waist high. Finally as he stepped beside Dumbledore there was a silent snap and the magic burst in Harry and traveling through him straight into the small body. Harry had the brief clear image of his mother smiling at him lovingly before he shivered and it was gone. Baby Voldemort gave a small shudder and went still. Still as death. Harry pulled back the blanket that was wrapped in a way that covered the baby’s looks expecting the worst and suspecting Dumbledore had known Baby Voldemort would die when he picked him up. That was why he’d allowed it.

Harry though didn’t find a dead body though, he found a inquisitive little baby face starring up at him with big dark eyes under a mess of black hair. Harry looked at Dumbledore sharply and the man gave him a grandfatherly smile.

“You’ve chosen a hard path my boy. By picking up this one you’ve changed the course of the train. You can no longer continue onwards my boy.” Noting how Harry’s face closed at the thought of going back to face Voldemort, adult version, Dumbledore continued hurriedly. “Not back to the battle, my dear boy. No, you’ve lost that option. The train will take you someplace neither of us would dream of imagining, but where exactly I know not.”
Harry wasn’t surprised at a cryptic answer, yet again, or the bright twinkle in his eyes. Harry gave the scarlet train a suscpious glance. “I didn’t mess up something important by doing this have I?” Harry questioned unable to keep anxiety out of his voice.

“Oh heavens no,” Dumbledore informed him cheerfully, laughing a little, but then his face went to a serious one that Harry didn’t like. “Just remember doing this means no turning back.”

“Right,” Harry grumbled, knowing now something he was definitely not going to like was about to happen, but deciding he would have at least chosen it this time. One choice after a lifetime of being pushed into things.

“Don’t worry. You’ll have a friend to help you if you have any questions.” Dumbledore told him and gave him a rather forceful pat on the back sending him onto the train. Instinctively Harry grabbed a hold of Baby Voldemort protectively as the door to the train shut behind him loudly. Harry spun around to look at Dumbledore horrified only to find him already disappearing as the train rolled away. Dazed Harry looked down at the bundle in his arms and jerked a little. He had to hold in crazy laughter at the adorable sight of the Dark Lord sucking his thumb contentedly in Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Wouldn’t-Just-Die and his arch-nemesis’s arms.

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