Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 96: The Disturbing Truth
He rushed into the Room of Requirements and sealed the door.
Harry's mind raced through the possibilities, but there was one thing that bothered him the most.
'Why is his scar different than mine? What did I have that he didn't?.'
The events on that crucial Halloween night, the one that turned them into the 'Chosen One' were similar but also very different.
Voldemort invaded their homes and killed their parents, but only in Harry's case, Voldemort died…
Except he didn't truly die and his soul remained tethered to this realm by his horcruxes.
'Why did he only die with me and not with Neville?.'
What prevented Voldemort from killing him was his mother's magic…the protection she unknowingly cast upon him at the moment of her death was what ultimately defeated the Dark Lord that day, and left him with his cursed scar and his connection with that man. That was Dumbledore's theory, but he could not come up with anything better either.
Neville had definitely similar protection, otherwise, he would have never survived that day. But for some reason, his was slightly weaker…it was not enough to completely destroy Voldemort but to leave him severely injured instead. Neville still received a similar scar on his forehead…similar but not the same.
This single difference created a big change in future events.
'But why…why was my scar different?, why did it create that link between us…why did I feel pain every time he was close to me?...'
Harry realized then, that the answer had been in front of him all those years.
'Because he died…in order to create a Horcrux, one must commit the vilest of acts. Even if it is the murder of oneself…he made me a Horcrux.'
This realization came soon followed by a much terrible one.
For all these years, they always wondered how Voldemort came back after being killed at the battle of Hogwarts during his seventh year. After all, they had destroyed all of his horcruxes, they were so sure of it.
'Is all my fault…if I had died that day.'
His wife, his friends…the entire world could have been spared from that fate if only he had died sooner.
'Did Dumbledore know about this?, did he know what I was?.'
The old man must have at least been suspicious.
'He should have said something…always with his secrets. Had I known, I…'
"Damn it!" He slammed his fist against a wooden shelve. Its contents fell to the ground, making a mess.
"What is the point of finding out this late?, when there is nothing I can do about it…"
Harry remained inside the Room of Requirements for hours...breaking stuff or sulking. By the time he came out, it was almost midnight.
In the end, nothing changed. He could not go back to that world and make things right…it was too late for that.
He will need to live with the knowledge that he was partially responsible for the near extinction of humanity and the deaths of everyone he cared about.
The only reason he was able to continue at this point, was knowing that doing nothing could mean the extinction of another world. One where his parents were alive and happy, as well as having two sisters. A world where Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Luna, and Neville were alive…He could not let them down.
Not again...
He had to do what he could to save this one at least. Saving a world in exchange for ruining a world…seems fair.
"Oh?..." He did not expect to find anyone in the halls at this time as he mindlessly walked through the sixth floor.
A girl with long blonde hair was staring out of one of the many windows this corridor had which offered a great view of the Forbidden forest.
Not that there was much to see at this time.
He was about to address the girl when she spoke first, without looking at him.
"Hello, Harry Potter."
"Hello, Luna. May I ask what you are doing awake at this hour?" He noticed that at least she was wearing shoes this time around.
"I got distracted while following a group of Blibbering Humdingers and…I can't seem to recall the way back. So I came here for the view."
Harry glanced outside, there was nothing but darkness outside. Clearly, she could see something he could not.
"I can take you to the Ravenclaw towers entrance if you want." Harry offered. He didn't want to leave her alone in a dark corridor.
"That would be nice, is getting chilly here." She glanced up at his head.
"You have more nargles than usual around you…"
"I had…a difficult day. Found out something troubling.'
"I see…" She took off her necklace and held it in her hands.
"Here, this has an enchantment to drive away the negative things… that's what my mom said at least."
Harry looked down. It was a necklace made with a butterbeer cork and a metal chain. But no matter how silly it looked, he knew that this was something made by her late mother and it was incredibly valuable to Luna.
"Luna, I can't accept this."
She smiled.
"I have more at home, mom used to make me one for every birthday. And you seem to need it more than me right now."
Harry nodded and took the necklace before placing it around his neck.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome!." Luna smiled brightly.
"Say, Luna…how are the other kids treating you?" Harry asked while they were walking.
She shrugged.
"They mostly ignore me. I don't think they like me talking about things they can't see."
"Mmm…if they want to ignore you, forget about them. They are not worth your time. What about Ginny and Lyra? do you talk with them?"
"Sometimes, but is difficult…being in different houses and all," Luna said.
"You know…other than on special occasions, there are no rules that prevent students from sitting on other houses' seats at the great hall. You can come to the Gryffindor table any time you want."
"Really?...and if anyone complains?" She asked.
"Then… I'll deal with them," Harry assured her in a way that may have come a bit more threatening than he intended.
"I would love to!" Luna said with a toothy grin.
Harry turned around and started to walk with Luna right behind him, when all of a sudden, he heard her speak.
"It was not your fault, Harry. Stop blaming yourself for that."
He immediately turned around and stared at Luna, who looked as confused as him.
"What did you say?"
"Mmm?. I don't think I said anything, Harry Potter...I was admiring this intricate seeling while we walked."
Luna tilted her head to one.
"Did I do something strange?...that happens sometimes."
"No...it's fine. Let's go." Harry turned around and continued walking. He then realized something even more odd than hearing random voices. The voice he heard was definitely Luna's, but not this child version of her...that was adult Luna.