Situational Ethics

Situational Ethics

By Zega

Posted on May 24, 2009

Chapter 29:

"The Father and the Warrior"


Dumbledore had finally done his worst. By choosing Snape as Harry's challenger, Dumbledore has forced Harry to either detach himself from the lingering remnants of what made Harry human or face a loosing challenge. Harry could not understand this as anything other than a deliberate attempt to possibly hurt him. There was no possible way Dumbledore could've missed Harry's feelings regarding Snape. Why else would he try something so sick?

Harry's hands trembled around his wand. He was not scared because he was well aware of Snape's potential, but because his mind had scattered and he was only recalling bits and pieces of what he had learned and about what was coming. Most of his mind was frantically searching for a way to talk to Snape. To approach him, even if this was most certainly not the time.

Severus... The life never felt more twisted. And the bastard just stood there, calm and collected as always.

"The use of an Unforgiveable curse is unfortunately forbidden. The first one to potentially cause severe harm to the other is the winner." Dumbledore looked considerately at Harry. "If you win, Harry, you will have three days at your disposal. Conditions and regulations will be discussed later."

Harry felt a beast stir inside of him. He wanted bloody vengeance.

"And if the victory is mine?" asked Snape.

Dumbledore chuckled and walked across the room. "We will observe from here. Each mentor is to pay particular attention spells from their field."

Harry shed his robe and clenched his wand. He felt his gut clench and an adrenaline high. He was terrified as the teachers took their positions far away from both him and Snape, yet excited. He watched as Snape walked away and contemplated Snape's feelings regarding this matter. He doesn't care. Harry thought crestfallenly. He's been a spy for ages. He shouldn't have any trouble hiding personal matters…

How could Dumbledore select the perfect distraction for Harry as an opponent? The old man has become more twisted than Harry remembered. Someone must've spiked those lemon drops. "Wands ready. One...."

Harry and Snape walked towards the centre of the room.

"Two..."

His mind strained. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…!

"And let us begin."

A dome like sphere encompassed Harry and Snape, and the lighting dimmed.

Snape's hand was moving from his side. Harry spontaneously put up a shielding charm.

"Relax," Snape ordered with sheer annoyance. "It's warm in here." He unbuttoned his top two buttons and adjusted his collar while holding Harry's eyes.

Suddenly, Snape made his first move.

Before Harry could even sum up a spell, let alone remember how to use his wand, he found himself on the floor, sweat already trickling down his face. He had taken to his primal survival instincts and had thrown himself to the side. Muggle war laws: incoming fire has the right of way.

Harry then turned to attack but Snape had already vanished and fog was beginning to rise, undermining his primary sense: his vision.

His mentors most certainly did not train him for this.

And Snape had it out for him. The initial firing made Harry quite aware of that.

He held his ground and steadied his hand. He could hear something moving. Not foot-steps but something more like grinding rocks...

Then he saw it. A block of rock was hurrying towards him. This time he was prepared. He shouted a spell and the block broke apart into tiny, sharp rocks.

He set up a shield and covered his face.

It was calm again, but not for long. Harry waved his wand in a circle, forced the rocks to
merge together and then he discharged them outwards in every direction. He heard something else moving, then a soft chuckle. "Not enough, Potter," there was clear distain in Snape's voice. It echoed mercilessly.

Harry clenched his wand. "Come out and face me!"

Almost too easily, Snape obliged. He stepped into view, his wand hand at the ready and his other hand at his side. Harry resumed the dueling position and held his pose. "It is time you demonstrated the skills of worthy adversary. If you cannot defeat me, we might as well hand you over to the Dark Lord. If you cannot defeat me, I cannot gather how you are going to be of any use to us in this war."

Harry felt his heart beating painfully beneath his skin.

"On the count of three, Potter." But there was no counting. No initiation. And before Harry realized that, he had been thrown back several feet from where he stood. His head hit the solid ground first, his glasses went flying, and he blacked out momentarily. "Ah!" He grasped his head and retrieved his glasses. Despite the pain, he picked himself up.

"Snape's merely toying with him," he could hear the voices of his mentors.

"Yes," said another, "But he will learn."

In his mind, Harry could picture Moody's sneer. Constant vigilance.

"So weak," he heard Snape whisper with disgust. "Sectumsempra!"

Harry rolled and the spell barely sliced off a good chunk out of his shoe. "What are you trying to do?! Kill me?!" Harry hadn't expected Snape to get so nasty.

"My apologies. I was misinformed about your competence." Snape had Apparated inches from him. His wand was held out, close to Harry's head.

Harry quickly pointed at Snape and shouted, "Stupefy!"

Snape effortlessly wave his wand and the spell failed. "Not until you learn to keep your mouth closed and your mind shut." Snape raised his free hand to his wand and Harry froze incredulity. Snape was creating an illuminative sphere of electricity between his wand and hand.

It disbursed, shooting in every direction along the sides of the dome. Harry set up the strongest shield charm he knew and was devastated to have discovered that it wasn’t enough. The electricity seized Harry, and just as quickly as it did, Snape stopped it. "Focus, Potter!"

C'mon... think! Harry was struggling. His head was pounding. His heart was pounding. He was still trying to get over the shock of having not seen Snape in months. Alas, the only thing Harry gathered from Snape was pent up animosity.

Fucking bastard... If Harry could only concentrate enough to close his mind and conjure nonverbal spells, then he'd have a fitting chance.

Another wave of power dispersed and Harry was thrown several feet. He landed on his elbow, and a wave of cold sparks pained his arm. "AH!" He yelped and gripped his arm.

Snape didn't give the slightest inclination of assisting Harry or calling off the duel. "Get up." He said instead.

Harry's eyes narrowed dangerously as he rose, hand gripping his elbow tenaciously. He then looked at the log behind Snape and quickly shouted, "Confingo!"

The log exploded upon impact, but due to Snape's shield charm, the fireworks did little more than brighten up the dome.

"You've trained for several months under the guidance of the Order and you are just as inept as you were the day you began."

"That's not true!" Harry gritted his teeth. He had to focus. He had to prove himself. Not just to the members of the Order, but to Snape and himself.

Harry then Apparated and Snape stood still. Harry appeared elsewhere and a wave of magic hurled towards Snape. He held still and covered his face. Harry then tried again, using non verbal spells and Snape smirked as he blocked them off with quick flicks of his wand. "Better, Potter, but not enough."

Harry Apparated again, attempting to fluster Snape.

It was not entirely in vain. He did it again, several times, appearing, firing shots, and disappearing before Snape could hurl a nasty one at him.

However, every one was either missing, or being countered. He was getting no where, and the only thing he was achieving was an even bigger headache. He felt his mind giving up. His vision was blurring. He had to end this soon...

Harry came to a conclusion. Magic wasn't getting him anywhere. If he was going to end this, he had to go about it another way.

He Apparated before Snape. The wizard stepped back, but not before Harry could launch himself at Snape, crashing both of them onto the floor.

They laid there. Harry top with their chests pressed tightly together. Judging by Snape immobility, he was still in shock. Harry figured Snape hadn't counted on the boy regressing to his Muggle fighting tactics to win. Very slowly, Harry raised his wand to Snape’s head and whispered against the man's ear, "Avada Kedavera."

He then lowered the wand and breathed in the man's scent. His head was pounding. He bit down onto Snape's shoulder to help with the pain, and the last thing he heard before his consciousness slipped away was Snape's deep moan, "Harry...."

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

Harry's eyes opened and gradually, his vision fixed on the wooden ceiling. "Wha...?"

"Evening, Harry." Harry turned his head to the side to see Dumbledore at his bedside. "You've been out for a day. How are you feeling?"

"My head stopped hurting," said Harry with a small smile.

"You had quite a bump there. Gave us a hassle trying to mend it."

Everything came rushing back, and Harry sat up. "Did I win? Is Snape here?"

Dumbledore stood up and pushed Harry back onto the bed. "Relax, Harry. Any sudden movements and your head will hurt."

A headache was the least of Harry’s worries. "Professor?"

"Each of your mentors will talk to you about your performance. I must say, your finishing move was astounding, but I cannot claim you are the victor. Professor Snape could have easily blown you away. Voldemort would never have allowed you to get so close."

Harry nodded. "So, if Professor Snape...?"

There was a pause. "Yes," Dumbledore seemed reluctant to tell Harry this. "But I must implore you to stay here. You need a few more hours to recover from that blow."

Confiding Snape's presense within the manor with Harry only ensured deliberate disobedience from Harry.

"You mentors will talk with you later. Alastor, Remus, and Tonks will meet with you at a later time."

"Why is that, professor?"

"I have sent them away to investigate something. They should be back within a day or so."

There was then a knock at the door. "Come in," said Dumbledore. "Evening, Sirius."

"Evening, Albus," he turned to Harry, "Glad to see you're doing better, Harry." He walked in and in his arms was Eras holding onto his bottle.

Harry reached out and took his son into his arms.

"I am ready," Sirius then said.

Harry looked up and Dumbledore responded, "Very well. I will see you soon, Sirius."

Sirius nodded then walked out.

"Where is he going?"

"There are some things he needs to take care of back home. And in a few hours, I will need to return to Hogwarts."

Harry rocked Eras was listening.

"I have business to take care of. But Professor Snape will be here. And Dobby will be making frequent appearance until tomorrow. I'm sure you won’t need much looking after."

Dumbledore smiled and stood up. "Can I help you?"

Harry looked up and froze. Snape was standing by the threshold, with his arms crossed and his face, unreadable. "Black informed me of Potter's recovery. I didn't think he'd wake so soon."

"Yes, well, neither did I." Harry detected a sense of disappointment.

"I received a firecall from Hogwarts. You are needed."

"I won't be long. Just give me a few minutes, Severus."

Snape nodded and turned take his leave, but not before sparing Harry a glace. "You are dreadfully close to that child, Potter. I often forget he's not yours."

Harry felt guilt merged with fear as Snape disappeared behind the door. He then sighed and was about to settle down, but then Dumbledore closed the door and turned to face Harry. "I've been meaning to speak with you, Harry."

"About..."

"About your son... and your relationship with his other father."

A/N: I should have warned you. This chapter has not been edited or revised. It's just been written and I do not have time to go over it.

I am currently looking for a beta. Interested? Contact me as soon as possible.