Gordic's Hollow - Part 7

Harry's heart pounded in his chest so loudly that he could barely hear what Wormtail was saying. This can't be happening.

"It was her death that caused the creation of the Horcrux, and when he cast the Killing Curse at you, it rebounded on him but sent that piece of his soul into you. You are the Seventh Horcrux, Harry," Wormtail continued unmercifully.

Harry stepped back as if struck. Of course! It made perfect sense, why hadn't he seen it before? Harry felt sick. Why hadn't Dumbledore prepared him? Had he been trying to protect him from the truth yet again? For in his heart, Harry knew this was true. It was as if the last piece of a puzzle finally clicked into place.

"That's why he'll win in the end, Harry, because the only way for you to defeat him is to destroy yourself," Wormtail said, shaking his head with mock sadness.

"And what makes you think I won't do that?" Harry asked, surprised by how strong his voice sounded.

Wormtail frowned. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm speaking of dying. Why would you sacrifice yourself? That wouldn't make any sense."

"Of course it wouldn't make sense to you. You were the one who betrayed your best friends to save your own neck. You couldn't possibly understand dying so that they might live. Look at that," Harry screamed, pointing at the spot of blackened earth. "That's where my father died because of you. He died right there, and nothing will ever grow there again. You did that to him."

Wormtail cringed and pulled away, refusing to look at the spot.

Harry's head began to spin. No, no, no.

"He wants to get to you now, Harry. He wants to capture you and lock you away where he can keep you safe. He won't kill you, but he won't make your life pleasant, either. Snape will see to that. Snape hates you and longs to see you suffer," Wormtail said, sniffling. He was sweating profusely and appeared suddenly agitated, his beady eyes shifting in every direction.

"If you can't destroy the Dark Lord, you can at least ruin Severus," Wormtail said, taking a step closer towards Harry.

Harry was shivering violently now, so much that he could barely hold onto his wand. He couldn't understand how it had got so cold. His vision was blurring slightly, and he blinked to try and stay focused.

Wormtail inched closer again, but in his confusion Harry couldn't seem to care.

"Get away from him, Peter," Remus's sharp voice rang out across the garden.

Harry blinked dazedly, uncertain how Remus came to be there just then. Wormtail reacted much more quickly. He squealed and ducked behind Harry, using him as a shield between Remus and himself.

Harry was too stunned to move and only stared at the two men uncomprehendingly.

Remus glanced at Harry with a worried expression. "What have you done, Peter? What did you say to him? Harry, move away."

Harry turned to look at Wormtail and blinked. In that instant, Wormtail morphed back into his Animagus form and sprinted into a pile of debris, squealing in fright.

Remus immediately gave chase, running towards the spot where the rat had disappeared and blasting it with his wand.

Unable to wrap his mind around what was happening, Harry stood numbly as the two raced around the ruins. He felt oddly disjointed, as if he weren't really there and only witnessing something happening on the Dursleys' telly rather than real events. It was Remus's piercing cry of pain that snapped him out of his fog.