Some Sort of Magic - 1

Cedric was dead, Voldemort was back, and Harry was stuck in his room. It made no sense. He had hoped that someone would come break him out. Fred and George had done it before. Surely, everyone could see it needed to happen again. That had been his hope at first. Now, it had been two weeks and there was still nothing.

Harry stared out his window, this time it didn't have bars, at the sky. He had sent letters off to Hermione and Ron a couple of days ago. He had planned on writing to Sirius as well, but Hedwig hadn't come back yet. He hoped that meant she was still with them. Hermione was probably in France with her parents again. That would be a long trip.

A sudden, loud crack made him jump. His blood froze in his veins. There, on the street in front of the house stood Tom Riddle. Red eyes met green as the newly reborn wizard strolled up the walkway to the front door. Harry couldn't move, he couldn't think. Everything was pressing in on him. Weren't there supposed to be wards? The final showdown was going to take place in a muggle neighborhood. That made sense in a cruel logic. Both of them were muggle-born.

The doorbell rang. Voldemort had just rang the doorbell. Harry felt mad laughter building in his chest. There was nothing he could do. His wand was in his trunk which was locked in the cupboard under the stairs. He would have to cross in front of the door to get to it. Running didn't cross his mind, where would he go?

"Boy! Get door." Vernon screamed up the stairs.

Harry started to laugh. He shrugged and walked down to the front door. Harry couldn't stop laughing as he opened the door. There, waiting patiently, was the pale visage of Lord Voldemort.

"Excuse me." Voldemort slid by Harry.

He could feel the magic as Voldemort stormed through the house about casting the Killing Curse on his uncle, aunt, and cousin. Harry closed the door. He walked into the kitchen and got himself a soda. They never let him have soda. It wasn't available at school either. He figured he'd like to have one before he died. The bubbles tickled his nose. He turned to see Voldemort walk into the kitchen then sit down at the table. The wizard watched Harry drink the rest of the can.

"How is it?" Voldemort asked.

"A bit too sweet." Harry replied. "Do you want one?"

"Thank you, no." Voldemort waved his wand, pushing out a seat. "Please, sit."

Harry chuckled. He took the offered seat. "Thanks for killing them first. I don't care if you burn the place down when you're finished."

"That's not why I'm here." Voldemort placed his wand on the table. "Killing them was just a nice bonus."

Harry cocked his head to the side.

"I took your blood and crafted my new body." Voldemort sighed. "It had some unexpected side-effects." He tapped the side of his head. "I've got your life bouncing around in my head. It's strange remembering a life that isn't yours."

Harry let out a dry chuckle. "I know the feeling."

The two stared at each other for a long, silent moment.

"What if you could be happy?" Voldemort finally broke the silence. "What if we could both put this war behind us and live the lives we wanted?"

"After you've killed all of my friends and enslaved the magical world?" Harry countered. "No thanks."

"That wasn't the plan at first." Voldemort adjusted a pair of glasses that weren't there. "I got lost as the years went by. Ancient forbidden rituals that that required great sacrifice. I was obviously too powerful and knowledgeable to fall victim to their negative effects. The horcruxes didn't help either."

"Horcrux?" Harry asked.

"Splitting my soul into shards in a bid for immortality." Voldemort explained. "That scar on your head is one. I didn't plan on making it. Using your blood while having that piece of my soul latched on you for the past fourteen years caused this unexpected side-effect."

"Now what?" Harry asked. His eyes darted to the wand. "You kill me and go on with your plans?"

Voldemort leaned back and laughed. It was not a pretty sound.

"Your mind is soaking deeper into mine with every passing moment." He hissed. "How can I continue on with my plans when you're damn voice is pushing me to save everyone?"

"You have my sympathy." Harry deadpanned.

"I can end this." He said. "Give you the life you always wanted. Give me the life I wanted."

"How?" Harry asked.

"Ancient forbidden rituals that require a great sacrifice." Voldemort chuckled.

Harry could see now that their postures were practically mirrored.

"I will use my mark to drain every drop of magic from all of my Death Eaters." He continued. "Using that as fuel, you and I are cast among the infinite worlds to find the one where we are happy." He sighed. "Who knows, maybe I'll be the longest running defense teacher in Hogwarts history."

"Why are you here? Couldn't you just do it on your own?" Harry asked.

"You are in my head." Voldemort growled. "I can't stop thinking that I should ask you first. You're part of this. We're bound to each other in this world."

"What happens once the ritual is done?" Harry asked.

"Anyone with the mark will die." Voldemort replied simply. "Their magical power will funnel through us. Our bodies will burn away while our souls move on. Voldemort and Harry Potter will be no more."

"You expect me to trust you?" Harry asked.

"Of course not." Voldemort laughed. "I could have killed you already. There's no need for all of this. Killing you would destroy one of my horcrux, but there are others out there. Getting rid of you would make it worth the sacrifice."

Harry closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. What other options did he have?

"Fine." Harry took off his glasses and set them on the table. "If I see you in my next life, I will kill you."

"I know." Voldemort smiled offering Harry his hand. "Take my hand."

Harry stared down at the pale male.

"Come on, Harry. Won't you shake a poor, sinners' hand?" Voldemort chuckled.

Harry took it, gripping it solidly. Voldemort winced at the pressure. Harry counted that as a victory.

"This might sting a little." Voldemort whispered.

That was an understatement.