Have n't said this in a while so I should probably mention. I do n't own Harry ceramist. I 'm not sure of the specific legal branching of a reference called Harry potter but not actually the Saame guy. But anyway, I do n't own any of the stuff I 'm not supposed to own. I may own the stuff I 'm supposed to own but since I 'm unlikely to write it probably does n't matter.



It was a courteous garden, the garden at Malfoy manor house. At one fourth dimension the bush were elegantly crafted topiary, a menagerie of fantastic creatures in fanciful poses, but they had been untended for a year and now they looked just wish George Walker Bush. Just here or there you could see a shadow of a firedrake, the flank of a swan. It was like looking at cloud. The grass had grown up too, tenacious blades that got between your toes. It was half risky but then that was good. It was a wonderfully peaceful place.

So why oh why had they nailed two bloody bully quidditch goals into it. Harry snorted, they were ruining the view with their stupid game.

'' Come on Harry ! '' Ginny swooped down laughing. `` There 's a fifth wheel broom ! ``

'' Right, the broom 's the problem. '' Harry laughed back, waving his cane. `` Not the fact that I 'm disastrous in the air at the best of times and am currently down a limb. ``

'' So you 're just gon na stay down there on the grass like an old man ? ``

'' Just go along it muted you hooligans. '' Harry laughed as Ginny rose into the sky again. It would possess been fun to go up and make a saphead of himself, make them laugh when he fell off. But if he ever wanted to get rid of the walking stick he would have to let himself actually heal. If he burst his guts open nobody would laugh. fountainhead ... maybe the twins would.

Harry turned and stomped off across the supergrass, back towards the house. The sun was beating down like a hammer and Harry was sweating by the time he reached the panoptic veranda. He took a bit before climbing the step. Everybody knew he was recovering from his injuries but he did n't like to let them make out how hard some thing were for him. Better to just take a minute.

Harry stomped up the wooden steps and dropped into a foldaway deckchair. The all gallery was new Ellen Price Wood, tacked onto the spine of the ancient mansion. The marauders had conjured and constructed the thing the first day they got there, at Draco 's spurring. The young Slytherin took an almost pathological joy in slamming beam into the ancient Malfoy manse. It was all they could do to stop him using fifteenth C daggers as nails.

The unanimous home had been transformed into a kind of marauder summer encampment. All of them were there, at first they had just come during the day to hang out, then in dribs and drabs they had attached themselves to rooms and began staying overnight. Harry was loving it, he had a captive audience. And now that the piranha numbered twenty they were a soundly interview. Except when they did unpointed things like playing period quidditch or do homework. But at early meter they were brilliant.

'' So, '' Harry turned to the deck of cards electric chair beside him, containing his young tiro. `` Who 's winning ? ``

'' I ca n't tell. '' Pythea took a dainty sip from a glass of lemonade. `` They seem to have released four different snitcher so I do n't experience how to hit. ``

'' Four snitches ? '' Harry 's eyebrows arched.

'' Ginerva and Draco were left in bursting charge of setting up. ``

'' Probably just trying to outdo the Twin. '' Harry shrugged. `` How many bludgers were there ? ``

'' 12 I believe. ``

'' Seemed like more. '' Harry glanced up at the game flowing above the vast undercoat. XVI marauders were swooping and diving in the hot, dead, air. Like sup. Harry envied them, not for the power to fly, but for the easing from the heat energy that flying would bring. Harry brushed his sweat filled hair's-breadth out of his face and fanned himself with his hand. He turned to the miss next to him. `` How are you not sweating ? It 's like a warm up day in Hades. ``

'' I 'm used to Greece Harry. ``

'' You 're used to a floaty castle in the sky. '' Harry leant back to soak in the ray of light. `` I however need some shade. '' Harry drew his baton and floated a standing umbrella over. It shook a little as it settled into place. Harry frowned, his new wand was n't his pet. For one thing it was n't an Ollivander wand.

His first wand had been taken from him by Voldemort at the end of his fourth class, it had never been recovered. His endorse lay broken in Godrics hollow. Both had worked for him wonderfully and he had wanted something as good. The initiative day he had got out of hospital he had stomped down to the old wand-makers workshop to buy a new wand. Unfortunately the old man had had other ideas.

'' Out ! Out ! Wand-killer ! Get out of my shop class ! ``

'' But I just want- ''

'' I heard what you did to Dumbledore 's verge ! Travesty to ruin such ... such ... Get out ! get out ! get out ! ``

Harry had been bundled from the shop by the scrawny old shit. As he fell backwards out the doorway, his cane clattering on the cobbles, he had yelled.

'' I did also defeat Voldemort you know ! '' But the room access had been slammed shut in his human face and he had gone back to the mansion empty handed. Given that he did n't want to go to long without a verge he had scrounged through the thing taken from the captured dying feeder. Eventually he had found one that worked. He never found out who it belonged to, did n't really count to him. It was made of reassuringly tough oak and had a overnice daily round handgrip. It was just sometimes a short ... fussy. Finicky was the right word. He just had to get used to it.

'' You could try another wand-maker. ``

'' Are you sure you ca n't learn minds anymore ? '' Harry smiled over at Pythea.

'' You were staring at it. ``

'' I was not. '' Harry holstered his wand again in his sack. Out over the garden a cheer went up as one squad or another scored-slash-fouled in a way that was apparently telling. Harry chuckled, the tike were playing. `` Are you planning to get a scepter ever ? ``

'' I do n't use one. '' Thea hovered her lemonade up above her hand by way or substantiation. `` I had a unlike kind of teaching. ``

'' Could you teach me ? ``

'' Do you have a few dispense with years ? ``

'' Ouch. '' Harry threw his hand to his dresser in mock wounding. `` I 'm not that dumb. ``

'' We 'll see when the O.W.L. event come. '' Pythea glanced at the sky. `` When do you think they will get here ? ``

'' Oh eventually. '' Harry put his weapon system behind his oral sex. `` I 'm in no precipitation. No wait, scratch that. Once they come we do n't have to listen to Hermione worrying anymore. They need to come now. Right now. ``

'' They 'll be here in about half an hour. '' Pythea said confidently. Harry did n't get to asking her how she knew, this was a seer he was talking to.

Harry stretched out in his president and yawned. It was nice to have got an factual vacation again, no worry about Voldemort, no call for to undertake. It was relaxing. Harry eased his injured leg into a more comfortable position. He needed relaxing. His leg and his stomach needed relaxing. His nous needed it too. Harry closed his center and sighed happily. Through his magic vision he could see Theia look over and smiling fondly.

'' Have you decided whether you 'll go to Hogwarts yet ? '' Harry asked her.

'' I do n't live what I 'd do there. '' Pythea tapped her finger against her glass. `` I would n't be a bookman and I could n't be a teacher. ``

'' You could be a teaching assistant. '' Harry grinned. `` Help Trewalny- ''

'' Do n't even fetch up that sentence. '' Pythea shuddered. `` That thought is too horrible to think over. ``

'' But most of all you can be close to the order in display case they need your arcane talents. '' Harry wheedled. `` Your impressive arcane talent. Your amazing and unparalleled arcane talents. ``

'' Would n't I be closer here ? '' Pythea raised an supercilium quizzically. `` Here in the parliamentary procedure HQ ? ``

'' But what if the marauders needed your talent. '' Harry pleaded. `` Your impressive, godlike talents. ``

'' Harry ... ''

'' And besides. '' Harry smiled warmly. `` You never got a probability to be a kid. pick out this fortune, get to Hogwarts. Let the predator show you how to make fun. ``

Pythea did n't say anything, but she smiled.

'' That 's a yes. You smiled so that 's a yes. ``

'' Harry ... ''

'' It counts as a yes. You 're stuck with it now. ``

'' You ... ''

'' Me. ``

'' hold on it. ``

'' Ca n't. ``

'' And you call me a brat. ``

Harry chuckled and laid back in his keister. He must have fallen asleep because the future thing he knew was a owl was pecking at his face.

'' Get. The. hellhole. Off. Me. '' Harry groaned.

tidy sum, flock, peck.

'' Oh fine. '' Harry woke and cracked his neck. The owl was n't holding a varsity letter. `` Where are my bleedin termination you poor fish birdwatch ? ``

'' Here Harry. '' Thea was sitting comfortably, holding a turn up scrap of report in her hands.

'' The owl gave it to you ? ``

'' I 'm thoroughly with animals. '' Thea glanced down at the musical composition of paper. `` Do n't you want to know your results ? ``

'' Not particularly. ``

'' No ? We could actually possess a position where I go to Hogwarts and you do n't. ``

'' Has ... has that happened ? '' Harry felt his heart drop.

'' Ah so you actually do care. '' Pythea glanced at him slyly.

'' bratwurst. ``

'' You have n't failed. '' Pythea smiled. `` You got four. Four O.W.Ls. ``

'' Well that ... '' Harry nodded faintly. `` That 's not bad. That 's not too bad. Considering. '' He reached over and picked the solvent out of her hand. `` good luck charm O. Ok that works for me. denial ... E. ''

'' How could you get an E in defence. '' Pythea shook her head at him. `` You defeated Voldemort. ``

'' Defeating dour lords does n't take a written portion. '' Harry said indignantly.

'' Did you see the early results ? ``

'' Managed A 's in astronomy and creatures. '' Harry shrugged. `` just enough to go back to Hogwarts. ``

Pythea opened her mouth to say something but did n't get the chance.

'' The effect ! The resultant are here ! ``

Harry 's ears were assaulted by Hermione 's screams. Thea raised her hired hand to her spike and winced.

'' Welcome to the marauder. '' Harry said, over the plangency in his ears.
*


The succeeding day they did the entirely thing traditional after receiving Hogwarts alphabetic character. The customary, almost pilgramigical, trip to Diagon Alley.

'' Wait why are you going ? '' Harry had asked Fred and George. `` You 've had your last-place year. ``

'' We 're going to go look at something. '' Fred had replied evasively.

'' What ? ``

'' Just ... just something. '' Fred shrugged.

'' This is about your joke shop is n't it. '' Harry guessed shrewdly.

'' Maybe. ``

'' What about you ? '' Harry turned to Joshua schism. `` Why are you coming ? ``

'' I 'm bored. '' Was his summary reply.

Harry shrugged. bazaar enough. The Weasley parents were there as well of course of instruction. Harry knew that on some level they disapproved of their children being soldiers in a war on unending darkness. Harry knew this, and could barely contribute himself to handle. The war was effectively over for now, they were n't soldiers for now. Not for a few years at least. Harry shrugged, he would possess preferred if the marauders could go alone. existence parented after so long taking concern of himself was galling. Ah well, with so many vulture they could n't possibly keep yellow journalism on all of them.

Harry shrugged and hoisted his cane. Ah well, time to do the spine to school shop. How very normal.
*


Harry dropped into a seat in an ice-cream parlor. His result leg, and left arm were both killing him. He had never been more thankful that his bottomless bag absorbed the system of weights of the books he 'd bought. If he 'd had to deport them the traditional way he might well be dead. It was n't even just the weight or the injury, it was the people. What had happened in the department of mysteries was known to every wizard in Britain and probably a dear telephone number outside as well. Harry did n't know which ones were tough, the one that demanded an John Hancock like he was he was a bloody celebrity or the ones that shied away from him like he was a god. It was draining, physically and mentally. He needed a break.

'' Are you alright Harry ? '' Ron asked.

'' Everyone wants to cease for ice ointment right ? '' Harry panted. `` We 're all stopping for ice emollient. Not because I 'm almost abruptly. Stopping for ice emollient because we want to, not because I 'm a bloody invalid. ``

'' Um ... yeah Harry. '' Padma nodded faintly. `` Because we want to. ``

'' Great ! '' Harry sat back. `` Double scoop, coffee tree and chocolate please. ``

'' Why do I have to get it ? ``

'' I 'm injured. '' Harry held up his cane and put on a guilty construction. `` War wounds. ``

'' Make up your psyche. '' Dragon muttered and shook his head wryly as the marauders pushed tables together around the one Harry had claimed. Harry just sat back and grinned. The heating had beat down harshly all day but now it was evening and the air was pleasantly cool. Very peaceful. Harry wondered idly what he would do with a year of peace. Probably go mental. Possibly get arrested. Without his lofty goals to justify his lawlessness he was liable to end up expelled. He might have to rein himself in a bit. Just a bit. It was unfortunate that he had no idea how to do that.

'' Coffee and chocolate. '' A cone was shoved into his hand by Padma.

'' What ? No waffle cone ? ``

'' Do n't push it limpy. ``

'' Ouch. '' Harry chuckled as the vulture pulled up hot seat around the table. Despite her sarcasm Padma pulled up the chair next to Harry. Theia sat down quietly on the former side. She was placidity with everyone but Harry still. For someone who had been one of the most powerful adult female in the earth she was remarkably shy. Harry opened his back talk to ask her something when he felt a tug at his sleeve.

'' Watch. '' Padma hissed quietly and cheekily. Harry 's eyes followed her surreptitious gaze to the other side of the table. Ginny and Dragon were sitting at the far early English. As he watched Ginny held her ice pick out to genus Draco, who bent to lick it and ended up with a stain on his nose. Ginny laughed louder than it was cancel to laugh at something so cliché and wiped the spot off with a napkin. The serviette brushed down Draco 's face just a second recollective than was necessary. With his magic eye Harry could even see Ginny 's pulse quicken. Harry turned to Padma.

'' And he still remains totally oblivious. '' Harry shook his head in incredulity. `` Does he take some kind of empathetic blind-spot ? ``

'' Apparently. '' Padma snorted cynically. `` I think Ginny 's getting desperate. It 's almost stymie. My darling sis has been lending her mascara. And creams. ``

'' Interesting that you say creams in the same manner that others would say ... oh I do n't roll in the hay. Skunk bile. ``

'' If he 's that oblivious he 's not Worth it. By the way, if you want to swap some of the creams for skunk bile I 'm game. '' Padma grinned slyly.

'' That would be really have in mind. ``

'' She would pull in attending though. ``

'' We do n't prank fellow marauder. '' Harry turned to the young lady on his other position. `` Maybe you can recite us. See anything in their future ? Something small and squalling perhaps ? ``

'' I 'm not a chance teller Harry. '' Pythea said coldly. It was only the vague sparkle in her eye that told him she was kidding.

'' Not even a little fortune ? '' Harry arched an eyebrow.

'' What do you expect me to do Harry ? '' The little seer smiled. `` register tea leaves ? ``

'' Would that operate ? ``

'' Of row not. ``

'' Wait a minute of arc ! '' Ron spun beat from Pythea 's other position. Harry saw the prophet jump in surprisal but embrace it a moment later. Ron had n't noticed. `` Tea leave-taking do n't predict the future ? ``

'' No. However could they ? ``

'' What about cloud ? tarot card game ? Casting bone ? ``

'' I 'm sorry Ronald none of those will have you any insight into the future. '' Pythea answered calmly.

'' Then what have I been doing for the preceding three geezerhood ? ``

'' Making shove up ? '' Harry suggested.

'' fountainhead yeah I knew that but ... what did I get an O.W.L for ? ``

'' You got an O.W.L for putting up with Trewalny for three days. '' Harry reached over and clapped Ron on the shoulder. `` It 's well deserved. ``

Pythea laughed lightly into her helping hand causing Harry to notice something.

'' Hey, you have n't got any ice cream. '' Harry cocked his head. `` Did you want something else ? I think they 've got coffee and tea and stuff. ``

'' Harry it 's alright. '' Pythea seemed to agitate nearer to him. `` I just do n't deliver any money that 's all. I left Greece with nothing and I 've been staying at the manor ever since you know ... ''

'' You should deliver said something. '' Harry held out his cone. `` Here. You 'll wish it, cocoa is one of the three safe United Kingdom spirit, coffee ice pick however is dangerously experimental. ``

Pythea chuckled as she daintily licked a pearl off the side of his ice cream conoid. Harry turned it to let her get at all of it. He heard a snigger behind him and looked over his shoulder to see Padma covering her mouth with her hand.

'' What ? '' The sniggering continued. `` What ? ``

'' null. '' Padma 's optic flickered to Draco and Ginny on the former side of meat of the mesa then back to him.

'' Wha ... what are you suggesting that ... no no that 's ... that 's totally unlike. '' Harry protested, which only prompted a gale of laugh. `` It 's not the same thing ... I mean she did n't .... whereas they ... Shut up. '' Harry turned away from the sniggering piranha and tried to ignore her. He and Pythea finished off the strobilus by twist, and by the prison term they finished Harry was pleasantly cool.

It was a totally fun and passive aspect. Harry should take in known it would n't last.

'' Having a pleasant day out Mr Potter ? '' A tincture fell across the table. `` It was a beautiful day I felt. ``

'' Hello Saint James. '' Harry 's eyes fixed on the old gentleman. Maybe it was his tone of spokesperson but the marauders went still in a moment. They went from laughing happily to teach as a drawn bowstring in an instant. Hands hovered near verge. Harry waved to them. `` Do n't concern guy rope, he 's not severe. He 's not even really here. Again. ``

'' A shame really. '' William James turned his pale, lined face to the sky. `` It looks like such a gracious eve. ``

'' Is it coldness where you are ? ``

'' I am not telling you where I am. '' James smiled. `` But I do not blame you for fishing. ``

'' I 'm certainly queer as to who you are. '' Harry slant forwards. `` cobbler's last clip I followed your advice I was framed for murdering some death feeder. ``

'' A regrettable event Mr ceramist, but not my geological fault. '' St. James the Apostle spoke dryly and precisely. `` The selective information I gave you was entirely correct. ``

'' Yes. '' Harry nodded towards the Baker twins, both ( despite his tidings ) looking ready to spring. `` You told me that their Father of the Church was targeted to be attacked so I do n't cogitate you work for Voldemort. But that does n't mean you 're on the side of dear. ``

'' Good is meaningless. '' James I said definitely. His Saratoga chip oxford enunciation making the word seem even colder.

'' Now I know you 're on the wrong side. ``

'' Think whatever you wish Mr ceramist, it does n't particularly matter if you like me. Although obviously I would prefer if we were on amicable terms. Nevertheless you will listen to what I have to say. '' Saint James the Apostle waved a gloved deal at the bustling street. `` You will take heed or in just about ten minutes these mass will all be suddenly. ``

'' You 'd better talk fast then. '' Harry 's digit were gripping the sides of his chair.

'' Voldemort will attack here. '' Was the simple reaction from the senior smiler in presence of him.

'' Voldemort has just two Death feeder and is supposed to be almost dead. '' Harry grated angrily. `` How could he possibly mount an onset. ``

'' Dear boy do you require me to tell apart you everything ? '' Saint James smiled faintly. `` You would call back that this would be enough. Just know that as soon as the moon rises about XX loup-garou and at least as many wizards will be attacking here. Whether you chose to believe me ... is up to you. '' St. James the Apostle disappeared where he stood, startling a passing family.

'' Harry ? '' Ginny was speaking worriedly from across the table. `` Do you consider him ? ``

'' Yes. '' Harry 's teeth grated together. `` Sod the motherfucker but yes. '' Harry grabbed his cane and pushed himself to his wobbling animal foot. `` Neville, get inside the shop and flue the aurors, and the order. Everybody else scratch spreading out and getting people into the fireplaces. Do not panic them. GO ! ``

'' Right. '' Harry turned to the vex looking Pythea. `` Can you fight if it comes to it ? ``

'' I was never trained. '' Her spokesperson sounded very small.

'' Ok, do n't take this the wrongfulness way but if something happens you need to rest out of the way. '' Harry raised his hand to her shoulder. `` stop good. '' Harry stepped back and waved the marauders to the left field and right wing down the street. He himself painfully stepped onto the table and amplified his voice.

'' Listen ... ag ... This is Harry Potter. '' A cheer went up from the crew, some hoi polloi began to grope for for things for him to sign. `` No no, Listen. We 've received a tip that there might be something bad happening here soon. It 's probably a false alarm, just some idiot who thinks he 's funny, but I 've talked to the aurors and they think we should evacuate anyway. Just go along calmly into the skinny store and flue back to your home. No pushing, just please go domicile. Do n't worry about your friends up and down the street, we have people warning them too. ``

Harry tried to keep a calm smiling boldness as he waved people into away, nodding with an almost banal N. He heard clattering footsteps behind him.

'' Harry ! '' Neville dashed up behind him.

'' What did the aurors say ? ``

'' I could n't reach them, the flue 's blocked. '' Neville panted. `` I went through the spinal column and tried the succeeding store. It 's down too. I think they all are. ``

'' What ? '' Harry spun to seem at the shop he had been waving the great unwashed into. As he turned a cry went up and seemed to cockle along the bunch. Harry could here the cries of 'it 's not working, why is n't it working ?'. He felt is heart drop. He spun and grabbed a man out of the crowd. The man looked down at him in shock but Harry spoke right over him. `` Can you apparate ? ``

'' Wha ... what 's that ? ``

'' Try to apparate. ``

'' Is there a problem ? ``

'' Just try to bloody apparate ! ``

'' I ... '' The man paused. `` I ca n't. It 's blocked or ... or something. ``

Harry spun back to face Neville. The neural marauder was gripping his wand hard. Harry amplified his part harshly, twisting his wand until he could feel his outspoken cord twanging.

'' MARAUDERS ! THIS IS REAL ! GET EVERYBODY OUT INTO Jack London ! ``

Harry left Neville in flush and clattered back towards the leaky cauldron, his leg felt like it was on fervor. The entry rampart came into passel, closed. People were crowded up against it, clawing at the bricks like blabber. Harry stopped, shocked.

'' Harry ! '' Lucy Kingston ran up to him, the Baker twins trailing behind her. `` We tried to get them out but the fluke are down. When they found out the panicked. I 'm ... I 'm sorry. ``

'' Get out of the way. '' Harry ordered them, raising his wand towards the crowd. `` EVERYBODY MOVE ! ``

The crew turned towards his yelling voice, saw the raised baton and the look in his eyes, and parted like the red sea.

"Confringo ! '' Harry aimed the hex at the center of the paries and blasted a gob in the masonry. He shot again and the paries fell in, crumbling into rubble. Behind the bulwark a material body stepped forward, his face veiled by a rough textile and the remainder of him covered in oceanic abyss green. That was what everybody saw. Magic eyes saw more.

'' Get away from him ! '' Harry yelled, but he was too dim. The figure shot forward like a snake in the grass, his hand jerking into his clothing and coming out with a thick bladed dagger. In one smooth movement the man was amongst the crowd. The tongue came forward and Harry saw a atomiser of blood. The knifeman spun and plunged the leaf blade into the back of a charwoman who had turned to run then Harry was knocked to the side by pressing organic structure as the crew stampeded away.

'' Let me through ! '' Harry yelled as he was buffeted madly. He could still see the knifeman in the cold amobarbital sodium of his magic sight. The man was spinning randomly through the crowd, opening veins and cutting throats like the flickering picture of fluent decease. Harry tried to push his way towards him but he was thrown back. `` prison guard this ! Galbinus digitus ! Hammus missis ! ``

The vines on the bulwark to his position expanded like a mad octopus, arching across the street. Harry had already cast a chain up to the green arch and jerked himself up over the crowd. Swinging madly, barely in mastery, Harry was drawn through the air above the heads of the writhing crew. Harry 's eye caught the knifeman and he let go, swinging his legs out, steel-toed iron boot coming up.

The man dodged like a wildcat and Harry twisted in the air to avoid getting a tongue in his neck. He landed painfully, his leg bending under him, unwilling to substantiate his free weight, and he stumbled. The tongue flashed towards him.

'' Stalagmite ! '' Harry jabbed his verge down and the sett exploded upwards in a jutting spike, knocking the tongue away. But the man was too fast his get out hand dipped into his wearing apparel and came back with a thin sceptre before Harry could even remain firm. Harry had to hustle away as a pull net of razor screw thread came shooting towards him. He tried to stand but his leg buckled and he saw the dash knife again, too close this time.

'' Stubefy ! '' The red light smashed the knifeman from behind and threw him to the floor. Harry struggled to rise as Lucy and the two baker pushed through the finish of the gang to get to him. Lucy grabbed his arm and he gratefully pulled himself upright. `` Are you alright ? ``

'' No ! '' Harry summoned his cane and glanced around. There were trunk everywhere. He had n't been fast enough.

'' We tried to- '' terry Baker began to verbalize but a knife bloomed from his shoulder and he was thrown back into his sisters arms. `` Aaaah ! ``

Harry spun with his verge out. Out of the hollow in the wall were climbing three more green shrouded figures. Harry 's eye buzzed through them and was more behind them. Lots more.

'' Get him out of here ! twilight back ! '' Harry yelled. He twitched his wand at the floor and swung it like a sword, growing a bulwark of stone out of the rough cobble. Harry saw Anna baker cry as she dashed away with her bleeding blood brother at the like metre as Lucy ran to stand next to him. `` I meant you too ! ``

'' I 'm not leaving you. ``

'' That 's exquisitely, I 'm retreating too ! '' Harry hobbled backwards, his scepter trained on the wall. A blurred pattern catapulted over the wall, spinning in the air. Harry 's baton flicked out. `` Ferio ! '' The hex struck the man in the air and he crashed to the trading floor headland first with a sickening crunch. Two more followed him and Harry threw more spells, beside him Lucy was madly throwing cuss. Harry could see the street behind the wall filling up with enemies. There were far more than than the twenty James II had warned about.

'' Difindo ! '' Harry raked his scepter along the ass of the wall, forcing himself to neglect the three more warriors that had leapt over the top of it. `` Depulso ! '' His rampart flew backwards along the street like a wrecking ball, sweeping the attacker back. Harry did n't have time to gloat as a lion made of flack leapt out of dilute air and raked his arm with burning claws. He did n't bother to flame-freeze it, just blasted it out of the air and sent the fire back at the iniquity figures advancing up the street towards them.

'' Harry, did n't that man say something about werewolves ? '' Lucy was panting beside him.

'' heed if you see a bloody wolfman evidence me ! '' Harry yelled through gritted teeth as he smashed a pillar of ice out of the air. `` Until then I think I 'll deal with the problem in front of me ! ``

Harry blocked another curse but even as he did so two more whiz past him and hit the crowd. He heard call of painful sensation and torture. He could n't stop all of them. He could n't even stop most of them. This was going to be a bloodbath unless he could hold back it.

'' They 're on the roofs ! '' Someone in the crowd yelled.

Harry 's eye swiveled up and he cursed. There were at to the lowest degree five dim figures dashing along the rooftops towards them, the sheer incline not even giving them pause.

'' Bloody hell who are these hombre ? breed me ! '' Harry ducked behind Lucy as he jabbed his sceptre up at the shingles. `` Pinguis ! '' The roofing tile suddenly gleamed like an oil slick and the running figures tumbled like skittles, skidding and scrabbling to retrieve purchase before falling to the cobbles with a crunch.

Harry saw more spells coming from behind him and felt care cheering as he saw five more marauder dashing to help oneself out of the press bunch. Dragon skidded to a stop next to him and instantly had to erect a shell to cease a spinning blade.

'' They 're attacking on the former position too ! '' Dragon yelled, his fount covered with a sheen of travail. `` Ginny 's keeping them back but there 's nowhere for the crowd to go. We 're between a hammering and an anvil ! ``

Harry cursed even as his eye swirled in it 's socket and tried to focus to the early side of the gang. No safe, too many people. But he could see trance flaring up from the street beyond. Harry swore again and had to fire off a desperate counter to a imperial curse hat hissed through the air like a snake in the grass. Harry swung his wand at the shops on either side of the street and yelled a charm. The glass in the windows shattered into knife-edge fragment and span across the street like a scythe. Harry could hear the thuds as it bit flesh. It only gained them moments, new form appeared almost instantly, crouching behind their dead companion for cover. Harry used the time to upgrade the sett in another wall but almost instantly it was struck with hex. Blasting away the stone and leaving holes for their enemies to arouse through.

'' When are the aurors getting here ? '' Ron asked desperately.

'' How the hell should I know ! '' Harry yelled back angrily. `` They may no even be able to get in ! ``

'' What about knockturn alley ! '' Neville called out suddenly, pointing back into the bunch. `` Could we get people out that way ? ``

'' This many mass ? Crammed in there ? '' Draco ducked behind a conjured shield. `` It would be a meatgrinder !. ``

'' It may be the only probability ! '' Harry 's eye swivelled to regain the black side of meat street. Some people were trying to escape down it but most were shying away. Harry 's eye focused further, further down the street ... `` Oh for the ... ! Werewolves ! Werewolves in knockturn ! ``

But the cry came too late. They burst out of the iniquity like a undulation of sweating pilus, cutting into the crowd like butter. Whether there were twenty or fifty dollar bill or more was impossible to distinguish, they just seemed like one behemoth raging beast. The sidesplitter came louder and louder, as did the howls.

'' No ! Draco, Ron ! Stop them now ! '' Harry jabbed his arm back towards the alley.

'' Can you manage here without us ? '' Draco said as he began to move.

'' Gon na throw to ! '' Harry glanced back at the street, filling again with opposition. `` I ca n't move fast enough to fight down werewolves. '' Harry summoned a wrecked table, ducked behind his makeshift shelter and jammed his baton to the cervix. `` GINNY SEND TWO OF YOUR PEOPLE TO KNOCKTURN ALLEY. wolfman ! ``

Harry had no way to sleep with if she had heard. He just had to trust. Ron and Draco could n't do it on their own. Harry 's eye whirled like a marble, trying to incur some other way out. There was nowhere to hide and every moment they waited people were dying. His eyes found gleaming column of white marble. A monolithic construction, defensible.

'' INTO GRINGOTS ! '' Harry bellowed out across the crowd. `` EVERYBODY INTO- ''

Harry was thrown to the floor as his mesa exploded, showering him with knife penetrative matchwood. He felt one bounciness of his thaumaturgy eye and shuddered to think of what it would give done to his veridical one. A tongue spun out of the blue and cut a slash out of his arm.

Harry stumbled backwards and almost fell, catching himself on his cane. He aimed a stunner a moving shape but it went wide. He cursed, there were too many of them. Gringots had better be defensible, or they were all truly screwed.
*


Ginny abandoned the failing shelter of a doorway and dashed for a stilt of rubble. trance zinged above her head, too many to matter. She dove to the flooring and felt her skin tear as she slid behind her the bricks. The street was total of hydrophobia. Whoever the pit these guys were they were good. dependable than end eaters.

passion. lot of heat.

'' Ginny get out of there ! ``

Ginny threw herself forward before the pile she was hiding behind exploded into blue fire. She dashed back to the other vulture, spinning and casting spells at the darkness flitting towards them. Too many to depend. Every room access was a potential drop attacker. Ginny reached the piranha and spun in time to screen and endure a blast of frozen blades. She heard the crowd behind her yell in painfulness. Whatever the piranha did it was n't enough. The hoi polloi were getting into Gringots but not fast enough, the gang was too Brobdingnagian and the threshold to the camber too small. Too many dying. Ginny steeled herself against the blood. It smelled like a slaughterhouse. She wanted to vomit.

'' There 's no Thomas More masking. '' Hermione 's voice was shaking. `` There 's no more blanket. ``

'' We are the cover song. '' Ginny yelled, trying to sound like Harry. `` billet up in front of the crowd ! ``

'' There are n't enough of us. ``

'' Then note up in forepart of virtually of the crowd ! '' Ginny yelled archly. `` You chose who you want to let die ! ``

Ginny ducked to the floor and shielded as strongly as she could as a barrage of charm knocked her back. She did n't try to fire back. She had to use everything she had to keep the shield up. On either side it butted up against Hermione 's and Cho 's, right now it seemed like a paper wall. Ginny gritted her teeth they had to hold. Just a little longer.

The gang was surging backwards, slowly seeping away. The marauders backed their paries to conform to them. Ginny tried to discount the fact that every meter the crowd pulled back revealed Sir Thomas More body from under their feet.

'' Ah ! ! '' Ginny 's head whipped around at the companion sidesplitter in time to see Cho fall, her clothes burning with purple flame.

'' Hold the billet ! '' Was the 1st affair that came to Ginny 's sass as she dropped her shield and blasted body of water onto the decrease marauder. She dashed to Cho 's English and grabbed her arm, hoisting the honest-to-god girl onto her articulatio humeri. She threw up a hasty shield that shattered instantly under the bombardment and was driven to her knees. Ginny summoned another shield and dragged her burden back, trying to neglect the fact that the arm draping over her shoulder was blacken with George Burns. Ginny 's brainpower seethed with rage and she itched to dribble her shield and fervour dark whammy at the enemies before her. But she could n't. Wand shaking in her hand she kept her irksome retreat, her thinker recoiling at every spell that slipped through.
*


The black rampart of fury just kept coming. The loup-garou were mad with moonlight, they did n't even care when they were burnt or bled. You had to cut them down. The cobbles were slippery with bloodline and viscera.

'' Difindo ! '' Draco flicked open a spurting gash in the neck of a snarling wolf, screeching ululation of nuisance went up. He blocked them out. He glanced behind him, the crowd was squeezing back into the bank like a hold out thing, they were almost all interior. The marauders were almost back to the incoming now, one bulwark of defensive attitude shields, one paries of aggressive firing death. He could see Harry breaking giant chunks of road to fling like wrecking balls.

'' genus Draco duck ! ``

Draco did n't even opine, he just slammed himself to the floor. Green River visible light blasted above his head. That was not a werewolf ! genus Draco rolled to his base, wand out. In amongst the loup-garou were loping figures, wands out and firing. Black sheet of tatterdemalion robe around them. Killing curses one after another and another blasting out. They did n't even appear to manage if they hit the marauders, the lycanthrope or one of their own.

'' These are n't the same as the ninja guys ! '' Parvati screamed, ducking into a room access to avoid the storm of swearword. Draco stabbed his baton forward.

'' Incendio ! '' A cloaked public figure outburst into flame but kept coming. Draco cursed and took aim at a mantled head. `` Reducto ! '' The head exploded but the body kept lurching forwards.

'' What the hell are they ! '' Ron 's quivering phonation yelled out from behind. `` They do n't die ! ``

'' Back up ! '' Draco desperately waved the marauders back. He stumbled backwards, nothing could give people this power, this was insanity. A hallucination or else a fever dream. Dragon dashed across the second power away, there was no holding back these creatures. There were still people in the street ! Draco ducked behind a damn werewolf carcass but there was piffling point, there were enemy all around now. The marauders were being pushed back, the green-clad assassins coming from left and veracious and the werewolves and unimaginable warriors crashing in from the front.

Draco screamed as his arm was engulfed in flaming and extinguished it with his arm. He shot a curse down the street at a darkness but missed. They were losing. A glum flesh loomed over him and he spun, too slow. The dressed image fell on him and he felt steely-cold hands grab both his munition. With an cold strength he was held to the base. The cowl came up and Dragon felt his heart go wide with fear.

The boldness had rotted away.

"Fulgar Fletch !"The remains above him was thrown backwards as a cloud of knives sliced it to decoration. A irregular cloud reduced it to flayed nub and the rotting husk fell to the priming in pieces. `` Get up Draco ! ``

genus Draco scrambled to his feet and spun to see Harry standing like a gory god of war. He swung his wand in a tight arc and the knives leapt into the air again, each growing a set of snake doctor wings and darting forward to slice up another shambling contour to ribbons.

'' We ca n't vote down than but we can shred them ! '' Harry yelled, standing in plain heap like he was daring the things to try to kill them. `` We just need to adjudge for a few more flaming seconds ! ``

Draco dashed back to the marauder communication channel, spinning and sending flaying curses behind him at the pursuing creatures. In presence of him he saw Ron struck in the side, with what he could not secern. genus Draco dashed to help him but the sett between them exploded into razor abrupt shrapnel and he was driven back.

'' Just a few More second base ! '' Harry appeared out of nowhere, one arm gripping his cane like a vice, the early moving in a blur of spell casting. Ron was lifted from the floor and flew towards Gringots, Harry had n't even been looking at him. `` A few more ! '' His arm was caught with the border of a curse and he was spun off his feet, pitching him onto the floor.

Draco spun, found the door the spell had fired from and sent a swarm of hornets. They were burnt up in mid air before they got halfway.

'' Now ! '' Ginny 's vocalisation shouted out. `` Everyone inside ! ``

Draco 's feet skidded on the cobbles as he dashed for the whole step of Gringots. He shielded as a curse winged towards him and had to turn over out of the way of a killing curse. Ginny 's marauders were holding the demarcation for just a moment longer, giving the rest of them a chance to get in. Draco powered up the stair and spun when he reached the room access, firing execration as fast as he could. Harry was the lone one left out there, slowly backing up the measure with his wand out.

He ca n't climb stairs ! Draco realized with horror. But just as the thought hit him Harry spun and fired a mountain chain up past the lineage of belligerent. Harry flew like a firework into Gringots, falling to the marble floor.

'' That 's it. Everyone in ! ``

Draco did n't demand Ginny 's yell command, his feet were already skidding him backwards. The labored doors were slammed shut on his hound. He could get wind nemesis sparking against the Sir Henry Joseph Wood and cracking stone.

'' Colloportus ! '' Harry was back on his feet and pointing his wand at the door.

'' Will that hold ? '' Draco asked, his breathing space coming heavy in his ears.

'' No. ``
*


'' I want those tables stuck across the windows ! '' Harry gestured with his cane. His eye was flickering around desperately trying to spot any other way their attackers could breach the edifice. `` Raise walls across the floor to shoot out of. And get all these people down into the burrow ! ``

'' Mr Potter you can not give lodge here ! '' A goblin appeared from nowhere, his oculus flinty. `` You had no right to require Gringots in whizz business concern ! ``

'' It was the only was to save these people. ``

'' That is not my trouble. '' The goblin snarled. `` farewell now or we will unfold the door and let those people in. ``

'' Listen shorty. '' Harry grabbed the hob by the neck and lifted him off the floor. He was instantly surrounded by a radical of armed goblins. Each of them was pointing what looked like a crossbow at him. They did n't look felicitous however as they were quickly surrounded by a larger group of fortify sorcerer. Harry turned back to the goblin in his fist and hissed, `` There are more of us than you. ``

'' And if we open the doors there will be a lot LE. '' The goblin twisted out of his grip and dropped to the floor.

'' hold ! '' The crowd was pushed aside and Pythea, her face streaked with dirt, stepped between Harry and the hobgoblin. She turned on the goblin with her helping hand spread out. `` You have to let them in. ``

'' I do not deliver to listen to the fema- ''

'' These the great unwashed have accounts. They have vault. '' Pythea spoke quickly. `` By law if they request to admission their bank vault you must let them. ``

'' You- '' The goblin spluttered but the bunch had already surged towards the tunnel. `` No, no wait ! ``

'' I do n't think they 're listening to you. '' Harry said to the hobgoblin, over the holloa. `` And besides, if they get in here do you think they 'll hold on at killing the humankind ? ``

'' You ... homo. '' The hob spat the last word before disappearing into the jam of people. A moment later the building shook like a bell. Harry spun and looked towards the door, he groaned.

'' They 're trying to break the door down. '' Pythea breathed, her voice stiff than Harry thought he could give managed.

'' They 're using one of the pillars for a battering ram. '' Harry tried desperately to think of something to bolster the door. `` Mythril ! Dia-obsero ! Portapavo ! '' The door went silver and crusted over with crystals.

'' Do you suppose that will keep them out ? '' Pythea asked doubtfully.

'' No. '' Harry glanced around at the predator desperately boarding up windowpane with anything they could find. He shook his head, the aurors had better come soon. `` Is Ron alright ? I saw him get hit. ``

'' For now he 's alive. '' Pythea shuddered. `` If the ministry do n't get here he will not last. ``

'' If the ministry do n't get here we 're all royally screwed. '' Harry was looking around madly, trying to recall of some other way plan. `` How about the rest of us ? ``

'' Terry baker has a tongue in him, I believe it may be poisoned but I can not enjoin. '' Pythea shook her nous. `` young lady Yangtze Kiang has been burnt, I have done what I can for her. George IV Weasley was exsanguinated, I have spliced his circulatory organisation to his twin and they should survive for a while. Joshua Split can not walk and I have no idea what is wrong with him. He can speak but he does n't seem to be cognisant of what is going on. Oh, and I can not wake Padma Patil. She seems comatose. ``

'' Is anyone not maimed ? '' Harry growled, anger mixing with concern mixing with grief.

'' Harry ... ''

'' We 're not gon na last. '' The building rumbled again. `` We 're just not. ``

'' Harry ! '' The cry went up from the other position of the bank. Harry spun and dashed over to where Hermione was peering out a small-scale gap left in the bottom of a window.

'' What ? '' Harry skidded over. `` Are they coming in ? ``

'' I thought I saw person in that house. '' Hermione pointed down the street. `` Can you see ? ``

'' Hold on ... '' Harry let his eye stress out through brick and poultice, then cursed. `` There are three people in there. Children. They 're trying to hide in the basement. They 're failing. ``

'' What ? ``

'' Six ... no seven. Three werewolves and four of the unkillable junky are in there with them. I think they can smell them. The kids wo n't outride hidden for long. ``

'' What do we do ? ``

'' We ca n't do anything ! '' Harry punched his aching clenched fist into the bulwark. `` We ca n't get to them ! ``

'' Maybe ... maybe we can purloin out ! '' Neville glanced at the shaking threshold. `` The ninja men are pretty focused on breaking in, maybe they wo n't bother with one or two people trying to get out. ``

'' The loup-garou will, '' genus Draco said dully. `` They 'll chase anything that moves. ``

'' Yes, they will ... '' Harry put his hand up to his face. `` And the dead men seemed to act the same. Maybe I can pass them off. ``

'' You ca n't. '' Ginny snapped at him. `` You ca n't run ! ``

'' You ... you 're right. '' Harry felt like punching the wall again. `` You 'll take to do it. involve ... '' Harry cast around for mortal else who could run fast. `` Take Vanessa. '' He pointed at genus Vanessa Gibbons.

'' Me ? ``

'' You. '' Harry turned back to Ginny. `` attractor them back towards the Leaky Cauldron. If you meet the aurors coming the other way tell them to hurry the Hell up ! ``

'' What about those three children. '' Hermione pointed out the windowpane again.

'' If somebody gets up to the roof through ... through that window they can get over there without drawing attention. '' Harry gripped his cane angrily. Something else he could n't do. `` Draco I need you to go alone. We ca n't spare more people. ``

'' They 're fry ! '' Hermione protested.

'' So are we ! '' Harry shouted back. `` And so are half the people huddling in the tunnels right now ! Why do you think they picked the day after the Hogwarts varsity letter to assail ! We need to economize as many people as we can. '' He stumbled as the construction was rocked with another blast. The stone around the threshold was beginning to buckle. Harry swiped his baton along the floor to clear a space. He pointed down at the marble.

'' Koupa ! '' The Oliver Stone bent-grass into a dense roll. `` Ginny, Vanessa. Get in. ``

He waited while the two girls huddled into the make-do shelter then hovered it off the floor.

'' You cook ? ``

'' Yes. '' Ginny said confidently. Vanessa just stared out fearfully.

Harry raised them to the level of the window, then drew them back. With a moving-picture show of his wand the two marauders were thrown out into the street in their stone rocker. Spells chipped and blazed against the marble but Harry held it as a shield for the two little girl, anchoring it to the earth. The ease was up to them.

'' Get that windowpane boarded up again ! '' Harry turned back to Draco. `` Go now. You need a ski tow ? ``

'' No, I got it. '' Draco turned, cradling his arm. Harry had n't noticed it was injured. Nothing to be done though, they were all injured. Harry watched as Draco climbed up to the windowpane and broke the boarding just enough to crawl out. Harry turned back to the marauders.

'' What are you looking at ? We still need to protect this place ! '' They scattered and Harry began raising product line after occupation of paries as defence. He drew lines of spiked wire in front of the door and disillusioned it. Hopefully they would n't find it.

'' Harry maybe you should go into the tunnel. '' Pythea said quietly behind him. `` You 're injured too. ``

'' Thea I just sent some of my best friends out to die because I ca n't do it. '' Harry 's own voice sounded bitter in his spike. `` But I 'm surely as nether region staying here to stop them getting through. That 's all I can do, but I 'll do it if it kills me. ``
*


'' They 're not following us ! '' genus Vanessa was peeking out from behind their stone protection, jerking her head back as a shower of spells bit lump out of the floor.

'' Damnit. '' Ginny 's rakehell was pumping heavily in her ears. Nothing they did could make the werewolves chase them. Nothing. They were just milling around in front of the bank and howling while the ninja men tried to break in.

'' Maybe this will sour. '' Ginny raised her wand up to her arm, where she was covered in blood and soaked the tip of her wand in the oozing liquidity. `` Oderifer. '' Red mist floated out from her verge, pooling about them. `` Tempesto ! '' The blood mist drifted out towards the lycanthrope. There was a long moment when the wining and barking stopped ... then a bone-chilling howl.

'' Go ! Go ! Go ! '' Ginny dashed out from behind the stone and almost tripped as she saw the loup-garou bearing down on her. Her feet scrabbled on the cobblestone but was moving, blitzing it down diagon alley.

'' The dead I are coming too ! '' genus Vanessa screamed as she darted ahead. Ginny threw a look over her shoulder and saw the truth of it. The dead men were sprinting madly in amongst the wolf, their hooded faces up and sniffing the air. Drinking it in like it was honey. Ginny thought she could see glowing red eyes beneath the fatal hoods. For a mercy the ninja-men seemed to have more than self control. They were not following, but instead pounding again on the threshold of the hobgoblin 's bank.

Ginny put all the muscle she could into her aching peg and pounded away from the beasts, barely keeping up with the lilliputian sylph of a daughter disappearing ahead of her. Vanessa looked over her shoulder joint,

'' Ginny duck's egg ! ``

Ginny did n't even recollect, she just let her legs fold under her, falling like a stone. The a wolf flashed over her prone body and crashed to the floor. Vanessa stunned it before it had a probability to rise. Ginny scrambled to her feet but she could n't run fast enough. An arm closed around her leg. She kicked madly but the arm had the strength of the dead.

'' Summon me ! '' Ginny screamed.

'' Accio Ginny ! ``

Ginny was pulled across the dreadful cobbles but the atmospheric pressure on her leg was still there. She looked down and started in horror as she saw a bloody and rotting arm dangling from her ankle. She kicked it off and jumped to her ft, ignoring her harm.

Well they had wanted the giant to fall out them. At to the lowest degree it had worked. Even if they did n't make it.
*


Draco slid out of the window and pulled himself over the peak of the ceiling to hide on the early side. He tried to pick good foothold as he hurried along the roofing tile. One chimney ... two chimneys ... he was looking for the 7th firm. For a moment Draco wished he had Harry 's eye but pushed the thought away. That way of thinking lead to unfortunate paths.

Seven chimneys. Draco put his ear to the roofing tile and heard nothing. Damnit.

backbone in presence of the coin bank he heard a horrific howling go up. Ginny must have got the masher attending. salutary, at to the lowest degree one of them was doing their job right.

Draco tried to think of a way to break through the roofing tile without causing too a lot haphazardness. Silencing charm. Draco cast it and blasted the silent roofing tile away with a reducto. The space below was blackamoor. He leant down, lighting his wand. The light seemed swallowed by the inky darkness.

Suddenly the tile by his legs erupted and he felt his stage dragged back. He fell like a Edward Durell Stone through the tile and landed on his back with a lightning shot of infliction. He kicked as severely as he could and prod his wand at the glum shape clutching his leg.

'' Confringo ! '' The figure 's chest exploded, raining Draco with cadaverous shrapnel. He felt a stabbing botheration in his chest. Through the botheration his eye caught movement by the stairs. He rolled just before super acid sparkle obliterated the floor where he had fallen.

'' Confringo ! '' The volatile whammy seemed the best weapon against these dead things. Draco pulled himself to his feet and stumbled to the stairwell. He heard a scrabbling and stunned a loup-garou as it put it 's matted promontory around the bend.

Dragon was breathing hard. He put his hand to his chest and felt a tenacious sliver of bone stabbed into him. perfect. With his sceptre held out shakily, Dragon slowly made his way down the stairs.
*


They were almost to the Cauldron, Ginny could see it appear around the crimp. Vanessa was dashing beside her, her eyes all-embracing with fear. Ginny vaulted over the cumulus of junk from the bulwark and spun with her wand out. They were so close !

'' Reparo ! '' The bricks flew together madly, Ginny willed them to come together faster than the creature were moving. genus Vanessa spun beside her and began firing through the rapidly closing gap. Two lycanthrope leapt through and were sliced to the side. Ginny held her wand tight and tried to force the spell to work faster. A mantled figure slammed through the bricks and pounced on Vanessa, throwing her to the floor. Vanessa screamed with horror.

The wall was n't fixed yet !

Keeping her sceptre trained on the bricks Ginny darted over and slammed her human foot into the back of the plume pattern head. It did n't even seem to feel it. She kicked again, crashing her foot into the beast 's shrouded font. There was a hideous crunch and the head snapped back, hanging by landing strip of peel. The lastly brick slammed into place and Ginny whirled.

'' Depulso ! '' The matter was thrown off genus Vanessa. `` Difindo ! '' She slashed her wand like a blade and fetted blood spurted out, filling the air with a rotten smell. She slashed again, taking off first of all one arm then the other, then finally the leg, collapsing the all in thing into a twitching heap on the base. Ginny stumbled to the gutter and vomited.

'' Vanessa ... '' Ginny spoke between noisome gulps. `` Are you alright ? ``

genus Vanessa did n't verbalize, she was staring at the spate of blood-soaked robes and organic structure parts, her darkness eyes wide.

'' Why did n't you push him ? '' Ginny straightened up. `` Did you blank out everything I taught you ? ``

'' It ... '' Vanessa sounded like she was speaking from deep in her own grave. `` It was my father. ``

Ginny felt her blood freeze. She walked over to the torso and gingerly lifted the hood off with her wand. She stumbled back and was almost sick again. There was nothing there but a mass of blood and break up bone. Her boot had stove in the rot ivory and left the boldness looking like rancid mince.

'' It ... '' Ginny wet her rim. `` It might have been your male parent once, but it was just ... undead. He was n't alive anymore. ``

'' He knew who I was. '' Vanessa was hugging her arms to her chest. `` He looked at me and he was smiling. He said my name. ``

Ginny reached out a hand to comfort her classmate but realized she had cypher to say. She turned to the paries and pointed her wand at the small pipage at the base.

'' Oderifer. '' There was plenty of roue already on her wand and the red mist floated out and down the tube. There was an instant set of tone down howl from the other incline. That should keep the werewolves and dead men off Harry 's back for a while.

And give Dragon a chance to inhabit. Maybe.

What was that ! Ginny whirled, wand out, towards the Leaky cauldron. She was trusted she heard something from inside. Aurors ? Not even the most affirmative of wishful thinking could carry her of that.

'' Vanessa, arrest here. hold the spell going. '' Ginny motioned to the other predator without looking and slowly stepped towards the doorway. The door was off it 's flexible joint but she could see nil from interior, just broken tabletops and a bar full of smashed trash. She stepped to the edge of the door and peered around tentatively. There were bodies. But she had seen too many of them today to be horrified. Wait ... two of the bodies were Green River robed like the attackers, slumped over a table. Ginny slowly stepped into the darkened pub and checked around. There did n't look to be anyone provide alive. She stepped up to the two cadaver and slowly drew their cowling back. Dull glassy eyes stared back at her out of faces twisted in botheration. They had both been stabbed brutally and repeatedly, the second still had the knife embedded deep in his neck.

These two had probably been left as a safeguard, but who had killed them ? Did the killer just leave ?

Ginny 's rip froze as she remembered why she had come in here originally. She had heard a noise. thought process back, it could possess been individual dissapperating. But that meant that this place was outside the Aaron Montgomery Ward ! Ginny dashed towards the fireplace and grabbed a generous handful of powder. The green flames that sprung up were the most glorious matter she had ever seen.

'' Ministry of Magic ! Auror 's office ! ``
*


'' Confringo ! '' Dragon did n't even see if it hit before he whirled and shielded desperately as a werewolf pounced on him. It 's cursed claws skittered across the surface of the shield and it was thrown backwards. Dragon dropped it and stunned the beast.

Where were the relaxation ? Where were the children ? These cerebration came to Draco through a haze of pain. The children were in the basement ... he needed to go down. Draco staggered to a set of coil pit footstep and started down them, leaning his blooded body against the wall.

As he neared the bottom a room access came into thought. Before the doorway were two of the utterly thing, slamming their rot consistency against the Ellen Price Wood. As genus Draco approached they turned to face him. One set of glowing red eyes and one of empty rotted sockets.

'' Confringo ! '' Draco ducked back into the stairwell as the offset tool exploded and retreated further as a barrage of killing scourge came flying down the stone hall. Dragon waited for a gap to spin around out from around the quoin. `` Confringo ! '' The mo wildcat disintegrated into shrapnel. Draco felt his bad arm explode with pain but did n't look down. He stumbled to the wooden door and slammed his fist against it.

'' I 'm human. '' His voice sounded thick and painful. `` Let me through. ``

The ignition lock clicked and the threshold swung in. Draco 's pegleg gave out and he fell in. He kicked the door closed and glanced into the dark cellar. Three shining sets of eyes looked back at him from tiny material body. None of them could have been former than four. They were in pyjamas, already set to be tucked in when all hell broke loose.

"Are you here to rescue us ?"One of them whispered.

"Just delay quiet."Draco dragged himself to his metrical unit and trained his scepter on the door."Stay very quiet."

Above him there was the sound of a muffled explosion. The door of Gringots had finally fallen.
*


Harry was thrown backwards and rolled to his feet. A inkiness shape landed in social movement of him, long tongue raised. Harry slammed his cane straight up into his assaulter's genitalia and kicked the man's legs out from under him. Harry raised his verge to finish the job but another figure darted at him, sceptre out, out of the junk. Too straightaway ! Harry stumbled backwards as he fenced with flashing lights against his attacker. The man was too bloody quick ! The bastard jabbed in with his left hand and Harry felt a cut open along his rib. Do not let them get close !

"Excalabus !"Harry slashed out and saw impact in his assaulter eyes as the polishing sword clove him in two. But his commencement assailant was back up and raging for blood.

Harry didn't look for service. There was no help. The ninja screeched something and Harry couldn't dodge in time. Writhing pain in his thorax drove chisel him to his knee joint. Harry turned the fall into a roll and came up with his wand out.

"Ferio !"The enchantment was blocked but it had given Harry time to distribute backwards. They were coming faster now. Spilling through the broken doorway too fast to count. Harry was driven back by a barrage of spells and ducked behind a barricade, only to let it irrupt in a mass of marble gravel.

"Atrax !"Harry swept his wand across the rubble, every shard grew spindly peg and fangs and darted towards the opposition. Harry had never used the charm before and hoped to god the spider-rocks were poisonous. He leapt behind a pillar before spinning and jabbing his wand back at the entrance. He fired off a spell and thirty came flying back. The pain in his chest was back. Harry looked down to see his shirt drenched in rakehell. His or former masses ? Both. Harry could see through the cloth to where his skin had been flayed off in immense chunks by his attacker's cuss. cipher he'd seen before. Who the hell were these guys ?

The strait of other predator desperately fighting raged in his ears. They couldn't do much, there was too much dust, to much chaos, for them to see who they were firing at.

waiting ...

"Tempesto !"Harry slammed his preferred spell to lifespan and whipped a gale to life sentence, the detritus and debris was thrown away and the creep mother fucker were shown to the world.

"Stubefy !"

"Confringo !"

Spells sparked out from the still standing marauders like a wall off fizgig. Harry's eye darted madly around the hall, trying to keep up. No, who was that on the flooring ? Neville ... not dead. Harry could see his spunk beating.

"Stubefy !"Harry stunned a charging ninja and levitated him up stop. Harry darted out from behind his tower. Three dagger instantly slammed into his human shield. sod. Harry dropped the drained weight and dropped to the floor, skidding across the wet marble. He grabbed Neville's leg and yanked him out of the firing wrinkle, throwing a chain to drag them both back to the barricades. Harry dropped him there and darted back to his position by the pillar.

Harry heard a scream and saw a gush of stock. Who was it ? No time ! Harry swung out from his hiding place and sent a storm of lighting into the passel of assaulter. His column was struck with a curse. There was a haste sound and it began to glow from rapidly spreading shot ...

Harry shielded in panic but it barely dulled the strength when the pillar exploded from within, throwing him across the room and slamming him into the wall. His arm shattered and pain overtake him.

Occlumency ! Come on !

Harry blanked his thought process for all he was deserving and, with agonizing slowness, gained control of his intellect again. His arm was broken, shattered like a rod of spyglass, and hung limply at his slope. The combat injury in his stomach had broken open and was gushing line of descent. Could he raise his wand ? Could he even enkindle his wand ?

"Harry !"Harry could see a gory Hermione hunched over him, shielding him desperately. She grabbed his arm and dragged him back behind the hold up standing barricade."Can you support ?"

Have to. Harry tried to prove but fell back. There were only two marauders left scrap and Harry wasn't arrogant enough to enumerate himself in that number.

Not enough. Not enough left.

They were finished.

Harry grimly gripped the top of the barricade and raised his wand. There were only three tower left standing. If they went ... It he destroyed them ... They could at least redeem the multitude below. And maybe someone would dig their corpses out of the rubble.

"Reducto !"Harry saw a long crack open through the marble."Reducto !"The crack widened."Redu-"

"wait !"Hermione grabbed his wand."They ‘ re ... they ‘ re gone ..."

"Wh ..."Harry's eye flickered around, goose egg was moving. Nothing but the piranha and the groaning wounded."Wh ... where did they go ?"Harry's judgment tried madly to work that. It seemed like they had been fighting for his entire aliveness. His eye cycled out. Out beyond the wall. Black robes. But the respectable kind. He could pluck out Ginny and Vanessa's small frames out in the middle.

"The aurors are here."Harry struggled to his feet. Leaning against the rampart he could almost do it."They came. About bally sentence ..."

pitch blackness drained back into his mind and he fell back into familiar unconsciousness.
*


Draco pushed the root cellar door open gingerly.

"Is it safe ?"One of the children whispered.

"Shut up."Draco muttered.

"Are they gone ?"

"Shut up."genus Draco slowly made his way forward, wand out in one hand, the other pressed against the paries for financial backing. The physical structure were gone. Was that good or bad ? Everything was bad.

"Is it dependable ?"

"I told you to shut-"Draco bit off his angry admonishment. They were too young and their parents were probably dead. Give them something."I think it ‘ s safe. Let ‘ s go. Stay behind me. And detain quiet."Draco dragged his metrical unit up the whorl steps and stopped at the top. He could hear voices from outside. Someone was yelling fiat. Aurors. Finally the bloody ministry.

"The ministry ‘ s here. No stay BEHIND ME !"Draco added sharply, grabbing the children back. He stepped forward, carefully looking in every corner. There could still be soul there. No ... it was empty. Satisfied he waved the children forward and followed their eager feet to the door.

The cold moonlight hitting his grimace felt heavenly after the stifling fear of the cellar.

"Here !"He waved to the aurors."survivor ! What ‘ s the situa-"

"Look out !"

Dragon spun, too slowly ! The windowpane above him exploded outwards and all he saw was a fanfare of fur and teeth before he was driven backwards. On top of him the mountain of snarling demise roared, pressing down on his chest of drawers. He writhed to try to get out but it pressed down on his shape, sending every old injury raging into new inferno.

"Get off ! Depulso !"Draco cried desperately. The beast was catapulted into the air, shadowed against the stars. Draco rolled out desperately and the werewolf crashed back down, it's bones splintering with the impact. Draco stunned it to be sure and got slowly to his feet.

"You could have helped."Dragon grated at the aurors approaching."Useless."

The blackened robed wizards stopped a few m away, their paw on their wands.

"Do you know who ‘ s these children belong to ?"genus Draco waved at the three huddling three."Do you know ..."

The children took a falter step away from him. The honest-to-goodness banquet his arm as if to protect the other two.

"What ?"

The aurors surrounded him, their wands shaking.

"Do you know ... who their parents ... or ..."Why did his head feel like this ?

The children were dragged away from him.

"Why are you doing this ..."

Ginny was in the crowd, her hand to her oral fissure, her eyes across-the-board with horror.

"What ‘ s going ... on ... why are you ... scared."His mind burned with cherry fog."I saved them, they ‘ re fine ... They ‘ re ... fine ... no ..."

Dragon's oculus dropped to his arm, to the bleeding wound. The snack score. Red and blazing like writhing doomed fire. A werewolf collation. The pain of all the other wounds faded away, everything else was gone.

"Damnit."Draco whispered falling to his knees."Damnit."



That was a hugely long chapter was n't it ?


I do n't own Harry ceramist. I own ... this composition of chicken. So ha !



Harry came to on a stretcher. How long had he been out ? The sky above was sales talk black. They had n't even moved him from Diagon alley, Instead he was lying in a line of the bloody and mauled, a line of white-sheeted and red-stained victim in a triage collapsible shelter. His eye told him it had been set up barely a endocarp throw from the decrepit camber. All around him healers bustled between screaming patient role, their wands flickering a desperate dancing to continue warmheartedness beating.

Harry looked down at his own consistence. He hadn't been properly healed, more like ... stabilized. Obviously some healer had had time to break off him imminently dying before moving on to more life-threatening sheath. Harry looked around for his cane but didn't see it, ah well, least he still had his wand. Harry picked a hanker splinter off the floor and enlarged it into a staff. Levering himself up on that he got to his feet.

"Lie back down."A nurse bustled over to him."You could still experience internal bleeding."

"I don ‘ t."Harry's eye rolled back in his head."Trust me."Harry limped out of the tent into the open air. Aurors were hurrying around purposely and Harry thought he saw members of the order as well. There were bodies laid in words with flat solid pulled over them, a lot of bodies.

Harry cursed, he needed to notice person he recognised, somebody who could say him what was going on. A favorable purchase order member, a companion auror. A piranha ? Harry tried to find one ... no full. Hopefully that meant they were safe. He couldn't see any of them among the suddenly. Unless they were one of the single too combust to distinguish. Harry felt a lump boost in his pharynx and squashed it down.

"Mr ceramicist. Good to see you ‘ ve recovered."Harry turned slowly, and looked up into the hassle case of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Why are you here ?"Harry asked bluntly."Aren ‘ t you acting, irregular, interim parson for magic trick ?"

"If I wasn ‘ t here I would be back at the ministry giving orders to empty chairs."Shacklebolt looked tired. Harry had never seen the man tired."Everyone is out here, doing what they can."

"Because you told them to."

"Well yes."

"And what can they do ?"

"Not much."Shacklebolt had to brook aside as a body was levitated out of the collapsible shelter. The healer carrying it laid it carefully at the end of the row of abruptly and conjured a canvas before hurrying back into the triage shopping center. Shacklebolt shook his drumhead."So many dead. to a greater extent than we lost in any one attack in this war or the concluding. And I can not even think of what the losses would have been if you and your admirer had not been here."

"Yeah, about those friends."Harry glanced worriedly at the line of dead.

"You 're ally are alive Harry. Every one of them."Shacklebolts rumbling voice dropped a delivery to a sympathetic murmuring."But every one was injured. Some quite badly. I can not say how deeply in debt the wizarding public is to you and your R-2 of friends."

"We ‘ re called the marauders."Harry corrected absent-mindedly."Where are they ?"

"They are all in St Mungos, except for Danton True Young genus Draco who is back at his home."

"Why isn ‘ t he at St Mungos ?"

"There was zilch more they could do for him."Harry noted the baleful annotation in Shacklebolts voice. unfortunate person possibilities.

'' Tell me everything. ``
*


Harry pushed open the wide front door of Malfoy residence and stepped into the marble hall. It was totally mute inside these paries but Harry 's eye found move. He made for it, his makeshift staff tapping on the stone base. The halls and elbow room that had held friends all summer now felt cold and desolate.

Under a distant threshold Harry saw sparkle and made for it, though his eye was already telling him it was n't who he was looking for. Harry pushed the doorway candid carefully and slipped inside. Snape was stood before an array of cauldron and beakers, all bubbling away and leaking fumes. Natalie Zhao was there also, leafing swiftly through a duncish volume.

'' I 'm surprised. '' Harry addressed Snape. `` Shacklebolt told you were trying to get a head word around all this. ``

'' I think best when I am brewing. '' Snape did n't front up from his piece of work but Harry could see the thin cable of tensity around his center. If Snape was giving away how stressed he was then ... Harry stepped up to the table and glanced over the ingredients. They told him nothing, but he could hazard the potion anyway.

'' Wolfsbane ? ``

'' Yes. '' The personal line of credit grew a micrometer sharper.

'' So you 've heard. ``

'' Yes. ``

'' I was trying to find out him. ``

'' He is asleep. You should set aside him to remain so as he will likely get little rest tomorrow night. There is no metre to hold him a full coarse of wolfbane potion. What I am brewing now will merely muffle the jagged bound of his inevitable insanity. ``

'' How could this bump ? '' Harry hung his head. `` Should n't have let them do it. ``

'' It is my understanding that they formed this USA in your absence seizure. '' Snape glanced up at him before dropping his gaze back down to his work. `` I believe every member knew the risks they were taking. ``

'' They did n't acknowledge the jeopardy. '' Harry almost squabble. `` Death 's just a word boulder clay you 've been there. ``

'' Then the absolute majority of this planet is similarly ignorant. ``

'' How could this happen ? '' Harry repeated. `` Voldemort should be as weak as a newborn kitten, you told me that. ``

'' Clearly I was mistaken. '' A breeze of loony toons entered the Professor 's articulation. `` The dark lord seems to hold capabilities none of us have it away. ``

'' Werewolves I get. I mean I do n't, they all left him when I killed Greyback. But ... well maybe they have a new leader, or something. The zombie spirit too, I at least understand what they are. But those other guys '' Harry shook his head. `` They were never death eater. The tour they used, their wholly vogue of fighting. I 've never seen it before. Do we know who the underworld they were ? ``

'' Lei Gou. '' Those were the initiative words Natalie Zhao had spoken since Harry had entered the room, but she filled them with menace.

'' Lie Gou. '' Harry 's eyebrow furrowed. `` That 's Chinese is n't it ? ``

'' It is. '' Zhao nodded.

'' well who the pit are they ? ``

'' mercenary. '' Snape hissed the word, like it was a curse.

'' More than mercenaries. '' Natalie corrected. `` The Lie Gou are hundred old, they take initiates from all over eastern Asia. They are incredibly skilled. They are also feared, and rightly so. The hiring a ship's company of them has been the tipping dot in more than one war. They are unpitying, entirely so. ``

'' How would Voldemort contact Taiwanese soldier of fortune ? '' Harry scratched his head.

'' They have factor houses in many cities. '' Zhao said with plaguey calm. `` That is not the most pertinent question. ``

'' So what is ? '' Harry asked irritably.

'' How did he pay for it ? ``

'' The Lie Gou are expensive. '' Snape explained, his eyes peering down into a puddle of simmering liquid. `` There is a notable tale about two Gemini sidekick, the heirs to a vast estate in Russia, centuries ago. When their father died they both took half the wealth and tried to arrogate the former one-half also. There was a private war between their armsmen until one brother hired the Lie Gou, wasting a large character of his inheritance. That position had almost won when his brother offered the Lie Gou more than money to switch sides and the battle raged the other way. This went on until both sidekick were penniless, the estate reduced to a wasteland, and the Lie Gou growing fat on the excruciation. ``

'' That is just a legend. '' Zhao rolled her eyes. `` But it does demonstrates both the huge funds needed to engage the Lie Gou and their falseness with attentiveness to who 's side they fight on. They will also only accept real number riches, zilch conjured or created by magic. Gold or jewels, and many of them. Only a robust changeling would employ them. ``

'' Unless they had the funds to assure that they could match any offer their enemy made. '' Snape said irritably.

'' Which we know the dingy Jehovah can not have access to. '' Zhao snapped her Bible closed angrily.

'' You have no idea what the darkness lord has access to- ''

'' And you do because- ''

'' Hey ! '' Harry slammed his staff against the floor. Two sets of heart flashed to him. `` Have a lovers spat on your own metre. Clearly Voldemort does have the resources or I would n't have got spent this pleasant summer evening being shot at, my gut would n't feel like it had a lance driven through it and a lot of innocent multitude would n't be DEAD ! Now I have the thrower family atomic number 79 and we can probably count on the Malfoy riches as well. Is it potential we can just buy these multitude off ? ``

'' You want to hand them money ? '' Zhao looked aghast.

'' If it 'll stop them working for Voldemort. Um ... Yes. '' Harry stuck his script on his hip. `` Would that bring ? ``

'' It is possible. '' Snape responded guardedly. `` I am not entirely sure it is wise. ``

'' Yes, I got the point of your instructional allegory. '' Harry snorted. `` How can we get hold of the Lei Gou ? ``

'' I assume through their factor house. '' Snape added a pinch of red powder to a cauldron without looking. `` Though how we find that is another topic. ``

'' I may be able to feel it ... '' Harry bit his lip. It was a longsighted slam but he knew where he could ascertain entropy."survive year I had some contact with .... disreputable types. Maybe one of them ‘ ll know where we can get in contact with the Lie Gou."

'' Harry, '' Snape had rounded the mesa and was standing in front of him. `` You must swear to me that you will not go to look at with the Lie Gou alone. ``

'' I wo n't. I 'll bring backup. ``

'' I meant without me. '' Snape added harshly. `` You must tell me if you find their factor sign of the zodiac. ``

'' Tell me again how you 're in effect than Dumbledore ? '' Harry stepped back from the potions master.

'' Do not say matter you do not imply. '' Snape said coldly. `` We both well know the difference of opinion between myself and Albus Dumbledore. ``

There was a moment of secretiveness. Inside his own heading, Harry gulped. Since he had found out the truth and arrive to peace with it he had n't though about his on-key source much. It was very easy to just think of himself as Harry thrower. Very well-off to mistake back into that glove. organism reminded of it was jarring, like being hit with the truth all over again. Harry shook it off. It was better to retrieve, not that he would ever really forget.

'' I know. '' Harry tried to make his voice calm. `` This has been a very trying day. ``

'' For everyone. ``

'' Your potion 's boiling over. ``

'' It 's supposed to. '' Snape turned and stepped back behind the table. Harry took a deep breathing space and tried to think of anything else to add, but his tired mind kept coming up blank. Thankfully Snape had something else to ask,

'' Other looker said they saw the abruptly men fire turn ? '' Snape asked. His vocalism said the doubt was almost trivial, but Harry saw Zhao perk up at the words.

'' They were n't dead. '' Harry 's back talk was dry with the memory.

'' Explain. ``

'' Their tenderness were beating and they were breathing air. They may give birth been rotten but they were at least partially alive. And yes, they were casting spells. ``

'' You 're certain Harry. '' Natalie leant forward. `` You 're surely it was n't the Lie Gou. Maybe in amongst the dead men ? ``

'' In amongst substance null to me. '' Harry tapped his eye. `` The dead men cast turn. Well ... one tour really. The killing swearing over and over, but I saw one levitate a chair out of his way so they are capable of casting other go. ``

'' That is not potential. '' Zhao shook her head. `` Neither zombies nor inferi can perform magic. And neither have jiffy. It 's ... impossible. trick can only be performed by bread and butter creatures, that has been proven over and over again, you must have life story. What you describe is unimaginable. ``

'' Clearly it is n't. '' The edge of irritability was back in Snape 's vox. `` Clearly the nighttime master has many potentiality we know not of. The question is why have we not seen them before ? ``

'' The doubtfulness is how do we stop them ? '' Harry broke in.

'' I have already sent monastic order members to determine the graves of known last eaters. They have edict to exhume and sting any bodies they find still resident. '' Harry nodded, he had been about to hint that. Snape continued, `` former than that ... we must find the iniquity Creator. ``

'' Call him Voldemort. ``

'' No. '' Snape snapped.

'' You 're still scared of him. ``

'' Some fearfulness is sizable. '' Snape tapped a foresighted silver medal spoonful with his baton and set it to circle slowly in his bubbling pot. `` Especially now that we know he has potentiality far greater than we ever imagined. What I can not understand is how he has recovered so swiftly from his injuries. ``

'' Maybe he has n't. '' Harry shrugged. `` He can direct troops and buy mercenaries even if he 's just a buoyant head word, or a unembodied spokesperson. ``

'' He would n't negotiate with the Lie Gou from a positioning of failing. '' Snape shook his psyche. `` And whatever he has done to those walking corpses it is clearly potent conjuring trick. No ... I fear we must take over he has his old force back. The line of latitude between the keep corpses reanimated and the wickedness lord 's singular recuperation are to obvious to neglect. ``

'' You think it 's the same thing ? ``

'' I think we can safely assume the two are linked. ``

'' Brilliant. '' Harry threw his hired hand up in the air. `` So we have three enigma. How did Voldemort upgrade himself and his army from last ? How did he get the gold to hire the Lie Gou ? And why did the werewolf pop back up after deserting him over a twelvemonth ago ? ``

'' leash secret. '' Natalie Zhao murmured quietly. `` Or maybe they 're the same mystery. We do n't lie with. ``

'' We don't know anything."Harry grimaced."We don ‘ t have a bare shred of information and we could be attacked again at any turn."

"Then perhaps you should go lecture to your contacts."Snape whispered a word and the fire beneath his cauldron snapped out."But remember what you promised."

"I will."Harry pointed at the bubbling potion."Is that finished ?"

"It is, but-"

"I ‘ ll charter it down to him."Harry grabbed a goblet and dipped it into the broth.

"Should you not let him sleep ?"

"He ‘ s awake."Harry tapped his eye and turned to leave.

'' Harry, '' Snape 's voice stopped him before he could provide. `` You know that there may be a very in force reason why the dark God Almighty has returned. ``

'' Is there ? '' Harry looked back over his shoulder.

'' You know the divination. There is only supposed to be one person up to of killing him. It is possible that, now that person is suddenly, the dark lord can not die. '' Snape was eyeing Harry levelly. His face gave away nothing.

'' I am well aware of that. '' Harry replied dryly. `` I 'll settle for dismemberment. I 'm not giving up. ``

'' Good. '' Snape nodded faintly. `` Neither will I. ``

Harry turned around and carefully carried the steaming potion from the room. He padded down the corridor, the fumes twisting into helix in the air. It was hard to keep the goblet sweetheart while hobbling along with his staff. Damn stupid injury. Broken invalid that he was he was he was next to useless. Couldn't even carry a blinking cup. Harry gritted his teeth and tried to crusade those sentiment away from him. They resisted, hovering in his hindbrain, mercilessly haunting him. Harry reached Dragon's room and pushed the door spread out. He didn't pain in the ass to bump, Draco almost certainly wouldn't have answered and he could already see what Draco was doing within.

As Harry stepped in Draco didn't look up from what he was doing. Harry placed the goblet lightly on a board and stood, unspeaking. Draco still said nothing, but simply kept running his wand along long alloy poles. Welding them together and conjuring more.

Building a cage.

Harry still said cypher, but instead sat on the border of a chest of drawers and crossed his limb. Draco would speak eventually, he had to, it wasn't in him to not leave his thought voice.

"Don ‘ t try to turn back me."Dragon said over his shoulder joint."I need a cage."

"I know that."Harry nodded, speaking quietly."But we could progress it in another way, no call to ruin the way you ‘ ll have to log Z's in the other XXVII days of the month."

"I ‘ m building it here."Draco didn't give reasons. Harry supposed he didn't need to."I need you to make it unbreakable, can you do that ?"

"I can. If you want."Harry waited until his Friend nodded, before stepping forward and raising his baton."This won ‘ t take long. You want to wassail the wolfbane potion ?"

genus Draco didn't resolution, he just stepped over the goblet and drained it. A flutter twisted his feature film for a moment before they settled back into a blank, impassive nation. Harry flickered some charms over the Fe bars of the batting cage. It wasn't very great, not considering that a lycanthrope would be in there. genus Draco would be fairly cramped. Harry added some cushioning charms to the thick bars.

"Draco, this isn ‘ t the end."Harry felt like he needed to say something.

"Isn ‘ t it ?"Draco said bitterly."Harry I ‘ m cursed. Permanently damned to be a devil. I ‘ ll suffer my mind each full moon, I ‘ ll be a non-white wight. I ‘ ll have become the things we kill."

"The Aconitum lycoctonum can serve you."

"Liar !"Dragon hissed."There ‘ s nothing that can help me. There ‘ s no cure. There ‘ s no Hope. Just go Harry. Just depart me. There is nil you can do for me ... unless ... unless you were prepared to-"

"Stop. Talking."Harry bit the words out.

"I tried to do it myself."

"Stop."

"The killing curse doesn ‘ t oeuvre if you cast it on yourself."

"layover talking now."

"Please ..."Draco's eyes were wide and his voice shook."Please do it or leave me to."

"Don ‘ t say this. Don ‘ t do this."Harry felt his grip on his tall staff tighten."Just exclude the perdition up."

"Fine."Draco drew his wand."Just lead then Harry. I ‘ ll do it myself."He raised his verge but Harry was faster, slamming his staff up into genus Draco's hand and sending the wand spinning away. Harry darted forward and grabbed Draco by the front line of his robes.

"I have had enough of that from you."Harry hissed, his rose up close to the pale nerve of his acquaintance."I will take your wand away if I hear you talk such undisguised cowardice as that again. You. Can. Still. Live."

"As a lusus naturae. As something I despise."

"If there is one thing I ‘ ve learned from all this crap I ‘ ve been through is that spirit is precious and decease is pointless."Harry released Dragon from his grip.

"You ‘ ve said nothing that changes anything."Draco turned away from him, bowing his straits."My life is pointless now. Entirely so. I would rather be dead, and unless you intend to abide with me every day you can not contain me."

"I would stay with you every day, I really would. But I ‘ ve got things to do so ..."Harry moved like a Hydra, whipping Draco's legs out from under him and sliding him across the storey. He flicked the heavy doorway of the cage spread out then slammed it closed again as Draco tumbled through. With a second flick Harry summoned Draco's scepter into his script, then the knife that was in a genus Draco's pocket and a letter undoer from a draftsman. His eye tried to search out anything else that could be used to cut or kill. After a moment's thought he summoned genus Draco's potions kit out of his school day bole, who knew what poison there were in there. Dragon had lifted himself up to his knee and was staring at him, eyes full of hatred. Harry stepped right up to the cage.

"You are not dying today. You will not kill yourself. I will not let you."Harry locked the batting cage door with several charms he knew no wandless wizard could snap off through."Your living is not over. Maybe cypher I can say can make you realize that right now, but you ‘ re still going to live. Whether you like it or not."

"But ..."

"I have to go. People to see."Harry turned towards the door, on the way he grabbed a ledger and tossed it to Draco."Here, something to show. You ‘ ll need to learn for the year at Hogwarts that you will be attending."

Harry stepped out the door and pressed it shut, leaning back against the wood. Everything was going to hell, and he had no idea how to fix any of it. Not the slender idea. Where was he even going ? He had a few idea but ... nothing concrete.

He could go to St Mungos perhaps ... check on the other marauders. But he wasn't sure if he could lease any more miserableness. There was nothing he could do for them anyway. But then there was naught he could do out here either.

"I ‘ m beginning to think stabbing that mongrel in the neck was a fantastic waste of time."Harry muttered into the evacuate air.

The job isn't done yet.

Harry shuddered at the dread certainly in his mind.

More work to do.

Harry pushed himself forwards, leaning like an old man on his splinter-staff. Still more work to do. There was just one place he could retrieve the information he needed.

He needed to jaw The Tarot.

But there was somewhere else he had to go first ...
*


Ginny curled her branch up under her. The electric chair in the St Mungo's elbow room were companion now, but it was still impossible to get well-situated in them. They even seemed ... empty. Only four death chair occupied, herself, Hermione, Lucy and Vanessa. The only four still on their metrical foot at the end of the engagement. Everyone else was in a bed, about still unconscious. affair seemed grim

Ginny had tried to keep their spirits up, pointed out that the four survivors were all girls and how they were never going to let the son live it down. But there was no laughter here and Ginny had given up. She looked across the seam. Cho with her Burns, Split paralyzed, Anna slammed against a wall like a doll by one of the absolutely men. They were lucky to be alive, Ginny told herself, lucky to be alive.

Ginny shook her head. It was hard to call back of this as any sort of luck.

She turned towards the other set of beds, stepping up to stand next to them. No ... hard to see it as any kind of luck. She looked down at her parents. Hard to see it as any kind of chance. She put her hand carefully on her mother 's bandaged arm. The healers said it would be hebdomad before they were even awaken. Not luck at all.

Ginny shuddered and turned back towards the marauder bottom. genus Vanessa was awake again and clinging to the face of Elizabeth 's bed like it was a life-line. The little girl was badly shaken, not storm really. Ginny thought of her as a little fille despite the fact that they were in the Saame yr. poor people girl had seen her evil father chopped up in front of her. At least the first sentence he had died she hadn't been there to watch.

Ginny shook herself. genus Draco's father had died in front end of him and he had recovered alright, but maybe that was because it was Dragon that had killed him.

Draco ...

Ginny glanced towards the door. She wanted to go to him, comfort him. But her parents were here, they needed her. The piranha were here and they needed her too.

Except that there was goose egg she could do here.

There was cypher she could do there either.

Ginny gritted her teeth and tried to stop herself from screaming. The one matter she hated was to feel useless.
*


Harry was getting odd facial expression from passer-by by. He ignored them. Not just because that was his way but because Harlesden wasn't a position you stared at people in. It wasn't a horrific station, Harry knew far spoilt parts of London for a clearly injured man to take the air through. But it was bad enough to make him check skittle alley with his eye before walking past them, and enough for him to keep his verge tucked in his sleeve in easygoing reach.

He checked the scrap of paper in his deal and headed quickly towards a tall, brownness, concrete auction block of apartment. Harry checked the paper again and reflected on the brilliance of the innovation of the elevator. A chemical group of kids in hooded pinny stared at him as he stomped past times, trying to look threatening. Harry sniffed, barely stopping himself from laughing. Thought they were tough did they ?

Harry stepped into the cold entryway hall and pressed the call push for the elevator. As it slowly descended towards Harry he spent a quiet down moment reading the graffito. It reminded him of when he was Thomas Young.

Harry rode the lift up, his nose wrinkling up at the very obtrusive urine smell and stepped out on the top floor. It wasn ‘ t even a corridor, just a long concrete balcony. In winter it must have been freezing. He did n't need to check the paper again, he had it down by now. apartment 12. Harry knocked loudly and waited. He heard step on the early side and focused his eye through the wood. He was gasping in surprise long before the room access opened.

'' Tonks ? '' Harry 's brow raised. `` Did n't expect to see you here ? ``

'' Harry ? Wh ... What are you doing here ? ``

'' What are you doing here ? '' Harry cocked his head to one side. `` Should n't you be cleaning up diagon skittle alley ? ``

'' I was injured. Kingsley sent me home. ``

'' But you did n't go home. '' Harry said pointedly. `` You went here. ``

'' How do you even know where here is ? ``

'' Werewolf enrollment act. '' Harry held out the piece of composition for her to see. `` Any interested citizen can find out where the monster live. '' Draco hovered into Harry 's mind and his stomach lurched a little. Not teras then ... not all of them. Most of them though.

'' You came to see lupine. '' Tonks put her hand to her mouth in shock.

"Yes. Can you get him ? Please."

"I ... I don ‘ t know. He ‘ s only transformed back an hour ago. I came to bring him some breakfast and help him recover. He still hasn ‘ t got out of bed though."

Which means you had a key. Harry didn't say it. Instead he harshly said,

"Dragon was bitten. Didn ‘ t you know ?"

"Draco. Oh god no ..."

"Yes. He was bitten."Harry stepped forwards angrily, forcing Tonks back into the apartment. He ‘ ll bear to go on a bloody list and take that putrid poison they call a potion and he ‘ s in his room at the manor house right now in a freekin cage he built himself !"Harry bit his words off before he told her what genus Draco had wanted him to do. Later, when he was better, Draco wouldn't want multitude to know.

"And you want Remus to ... what ? public lecture to him ?"

"Just get the crashing wolfman Tonks. Get him now. Oh wait ..."Harry glanced over towards the faded sleeping room door. `` Never mind. ``

"It ‘ s fine Tonks."A grate moan sounded and the door was pushed open slowly. `` I 'm wake. ``

'' Are you sure he was a wolf ? '' Harry stepped out from behind the pink haired girl. `` He looks like he 's hung-over. ``

'' Harry, '' Tonks held her hand, her middle narrowing angrily. Harry was forced to prompt himself that the girl with the spirit shaped face was an auror of the Helen Newington Wills school.

'' professor Lupin ... '' Harry addressed the grey-faced man. `` Dragon was- ''

'' I heard. '' lupine said flatly. `` There is nothing you can do. There is nothing I can do. ``

'' I 'm not after a cure, I 'm not that unintelligent. '' Harry growled back. `` I need you to blab to him. You need to show him he still has something to live for. ``

'' Look at me Potter. '' lupine glanced down at his shivering, robed trunk. Harry, for the first metre, noticed multiple old geological fault in his bones. Almost every pearl in him bore some mark of his lifelong curse. Harry gritted his teeth. Maybe he should make just done what Draco asked ... No ! Those form of dark opinion led to things like gouged-out eyes.

'' Look just talk to him. '' Harry pleaded. `` I have body of work to do, I need to go to some blue billet today and meet strange people with short signified of body fluid and less personal hygiene. I know you hate me. I even know why ... a little. I do n't empathize but ... whatever. Long story short you despise me. But whatever you think about me do n't take it out on my admirer. Come on ... help him. ``

'' There is nothing I can do. ``

'' Tell him it is n't as bad as it seems. ``

'' It is as bad as it seems. ``

'' Then lie to him. '' Harry snarled. His fingers gripped his staff so hard the wood splintered. Lupin stepped back, his eyes blanket with shock. `` Lie to him if you have to. Tell him turning into a wolf is n't so bad. Tell him it 's a barrelful of laughs. Tell him it 's like a sneeze only better. William Tell him anything ! '' Harry stepped forward, pointing his stave like a weapon. `` William Tell him whatever the hell you would cause wanted to get wind. I do n't manage ! All I know is that while you lie here with a booty call young enough to be your daughter my friend, my champion who has saved my animation on numerous occasions, is thinking his sprightliness is over and I DO N'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HIM ! I do n't bang ! I ca n't conceive ... I ca n't facilitate him ! He 's saved my life sentence and I do n't experience how to help him ! '' Harry turned his side to Lupin so he could only see his role player eye. Could n't see that he was crying.

'' I do not cognize how to help him either. '' Lupin half turned back towards his chamber. `` He will suffer to get through this himself. ``

'' You 're a Sir Noel Pierce Coward. You always did like to hide. '' Harry let the words flowing from his lips like silk over ice. The effect on lupine was electric automobile. The werewolf spun back to face Harry, his eyes across-the-board with shock.

'' How ... how ... ''

'' Just something I remembered. '' Harry let the words sink in. He did n't really remember a good deal. Dumbledore had taken his own memories of James River potter and cast off them into Harry 's mind. Now that he knew that he could almost assure where they were. It was like there was a elephantine Joseph Black tar pit over one character of his mind. Occasionally things would bubble to the open but it was impossible to go swim. lupin swallowed harshly before opening his mouth and levelly saying,

'' Get out of my home plate ceramist. Get out. ``

'' You going to blab to Draco ? '' Harry did n't move. `` Or are you going to obscure in your hutch ? ``

'' I will talk to the boy. '' lupin gritted his dentition. `` Because he is Tonks'full cousin. Not because of you. I will- ''

'' So not interested in your reasons. '' Harry snorted and turned back towards the doorway. Harry pulled the doorway shut on two see red faces and dropped backwards off the balcony. He was halfway down before he remembered he no longer had a drop-gem embedded in his chest of drawers.

"Bardus accido !"Harry had barely whipped his wand out in clip and the magical spell didn't have time to catch properly. Harry crumpled and rolled as he his the floor. His leg screamed with pain in the neck. Harry grabbed his staff and pushed himself to his fee-

CRACK !

Harry was thrown back to the story as his makeshift staff finally gave out and splintered into giant shards.

"Bugger."Harry grimaced and looked around. There were no convenient pieces of woodwind instrument he could work with. No twigs or splinters. Wait ... there was a tree over there by the road. Harry hopped to his metrical unit and limped painfully in that management. He made it to the Tree and picked a knobbly twig off the floor. Another engorgement charm gave him a rude walking pin. Harry leant on it gratefully and breathed heavily. It just made everything more unmanageable. Harry shook his fountainhead, where he was going next he couldn't afford to show too much weakness. Harry brushed his sweat filled hairsbreadth out of his eyes. It had been a recollective day. The division that hadn ‘ t been excruciatingly painful had been full of aggravation .... the side by side soul who pissed him off would-

"give me your wallet !"

Harry didn't even think. His stave flashed up and slammed the mugger in the Kuki. Harry could have sworn he saw tooth shatter and fly away. The moaning would-be thief crumpled to the trading floor before scrambling up and fleeing, whiten trainers flashing and scraping on the pavement.

"I don ‘ t carry a wallet."Harry turned and limped off down the street.
*


Ginny slowly pushed the door open. In the middle of the elbow room was a batting cage of sear metal. The lights were dimmed to the dot of total swarthiness but Ginny could still see the pale pump in the midsection of the batting cage, a mountain of picket hairsbreadth barely fitting in between the bars. It rose and fell slowly with the speech sound of breathing.

The floor board under the cage were torn and splintered, and covered in roue. The wolf must give birth known it could n't get out between the BAR, but it had tried anyway. Hair and drool stained the floor with a pale carpet. The whole room smelt like the den of an animal. How could so much have got happened ? How could this have happened ?

Ginny shivered. No one was watching now, she could break down. Everyone was hurt, diagon bowling alley was ruined. Was it her flaw ? She could have trained them voiceless. Should have pushed them to keep training even after Voldemort 's apparent death ... nothing should have stopped them keeping in practice. citizenry were dead because of that. People were drained because of her. And that made her insides knot up like roach. Was it bothering Harry ? Probably not ... he was probably out beating someone up for information or fighting a flying lizard or something. nil rattled him.

Ginny sat down in a heavy armchair and pulled a throw over herself. It smelled like wet dog. The unscathed elbow room did. Ginny pulled the heavy cloth up and bunched it in front of her. For a bit she wondered where her puerility teddy bear was. Probably in a cupboard somewhere.

Ginny pulled her legs up onto the professorship and hugged them to her thorax. Fevered sleep eventually came.
*


Harry flicked his punk up as he turned into a disused skittle alley. He slowed and bowed his head a little. near to seem old and infirm than young and crippled. He tried to fade into the background, not that it would really matter. After the chaos in diagon skittle alley most wizards were staying at home. This wasn't really a wizard street. There was a starbucks on it. But apart from that the shops were mostly magical, and not the dainty sort of magic.

Harry reached his destination and looked up. A stain encrusted sign read Fortunes told Fortunes found. Harry pushed the room access open and was assailed by incense and smoke.

"Welcome my child."A heavy breathy voice sounded out of the glumness. Harry could see her of course, but acted like he couldn't."Have you come for guidance from the spirits ?"

"I need to shoot the breeze the Tarot."Harry said the fixed words he needed to say."Is this the station I can find it ?"

"Who can say ? Perhaps I can depict you the way."

Harry stepped forward and a chair faded out of the smoking air. Harry sat down and waited while the smoky figure on the other English of the table slowly shuffled a deck of cards of drag cards. Harry watched the finger carefully, if you paid really close attention you could see her pile the deck. Harry tried not to scream for her to hurry up. They didn't need to go through the charade, they both knew why he was here. Except that if he demanded she go faster he would get goose egg. He had to recreate their game.

"What is your giving birth calendar month youngster ?"

"July."Harry said without thought. It didn't thing anyway. It was a fake month given for a fake tarot card recitation that wouldn't have predicted anything even if it was real. Harry watched as the ‘ prophet'flicked cards down one after another.

"This is for the past tense, this is for the future."Harry tried not to roam his centre."This is the final result of the viewing."The fair sex laid down the tower card."substance catastrophe."

"Obviously."Harry stood and clicked a coin down on the board."Thank you."Harry turned and stalked out of the shop. A set of smoke-shrouded heart watched him go. Harry hurried to the nearest flue pipe node and tried to remember where he was going. The tower was one he'd seen before ... where was it ... Oh yeah, Glasgow.

Harry picked a hint of powder and stepped into the flaming. The spinning fire whisked him away and he gritted his tooth, flueing with a gamey leg was always painful. Harry fell out onto a gem floor with a stabbing pain. But recovered fast and ambled out of the shop, waving pleasantly to the bemused wizard shopkeeper.

He stepped out into the street and looked up into the sky. It was sunny now, he wondered what metre it had gotten to be. Breakfast had never happened. Lunch would probably never materialize. Harry reached into his bag and drew out something that felt like food. An Malus pumila. Good enough. Harry clicked down the muggle streets, wondering if he was throwing himself in over his head. People were looking at him funny and he realized he was wearing genius gown. Sod it, who cared.

Harry looked up and saw the swinging sign he was looking for. A fleet pub signboard of a Harlan Fisk Stone tower. The Lapp one that had been on the circuit card. This was what he was looking for.

This was the Tarot. The den of thieves, a close legendary pit of darkness. Every auror in the rural area would have given their good arm to find this place. They never would though, because what every auror didn't know was that it wasn't one pub. It was twenty-two.

Every day the emplacement changed, you only found out where from the tarot lector. The wife of the proprietor. On any former day the other twenty-one, the Fool, the dying, the Department of Justice and the rest, would just be muggle taphouse like any others. Harry didn't know where the muggles who usually went to the pubs went on the day when their local anaesthetic was designated the Tarot. Probably drank at home.

Harry pulled his exhaust hood up, it didn't do to enter the tarot card concealed, and stepped inside. Within it was strong and faint music played. Harry couldn't see where it was coming from, probably out of someone's wand. The chairs around the old oak tables were high backed, leather and padded. The fireplace was roaring cheerfully.

Harry liked the Tarot, it was homely. Contrary to what you might think there were no engagement in the Tarot. the great unwashed didn't cum to the Tarot to bar-room bash, they came for business enterprise. Serious business. Of path if you pissed off the awry person you would be chopped up and fed into the mincing machine to be sold as hamburgers to the muggles over the next few days.

Such is life.

Harry clomped over to the bar and slipped onto a faecal matter. There was no barman, Harry could see him behind the paries hulking around an empty barrelful. The pub was surprisingly full, every booth was full phase of the moon of muttered conversation and every table surrounded by life-threatening looking men. Men who had other men sitting following to them who never spoke. Men in very beneficial robe, or very good lawsuit. Harry tried not to depend to closely at them. It didn't do to pay too a lot attention to people in the Tarot.

Harry shook his capitulum ruefully, of course the plaza was wide. Diagon alley had been crushed, shaken and blasted to the ground. These people would be discussing how that effected their design ... their plot of land. Would they have clip to talk to him about his own problems ? What was he thinking ... of row they would. For enough Au. He just had to ask the proper questions.

How would he do this ? Harry ordered red wine when the barkeeper came back. It was served to him without interrogation, and without comment. Harry stepped over to an void board and rested a galleon against the rump of his meth. The Tarot had sign, pernicious one. Harry didn't know more than the barest scraping of them. But he knew this one, amber against red vino meant you were interested in assassin. Actually it meant you wanted soul killed but it amounted to the Saame thing.

Harry leant his knobbled staff against his chair. Whatever happened he was going to find the bloody Lie Gou. It would take as long as it took.
*


Draco woke into a hideous pain. It seemed like every bone in his body had been shattered and reformed, every muscle was being turned to mush by some flesh decomposition bacteria, and his throat felt like he had drunk crushed glass.

He opened his centre and slowly tried to advertize himself to his knees. His hands were shaking. No ... his totally soundbox was shaking. He could n't even focus his eyes. Dragon let himself fall back to the storey, the pitted and splintered wood bit into his raw skin and he could n't help but cry out. There was no percentage point in getting up, he could n't unlock the John Milton Cage Jr. anyway. Was it even worth reaching between the bars to dredge his clothes back onto his aching body ? He did n't require to be naked when someone came to tick off on him but he did n't call up he could physically put the clothes on. Maybe if he gave himself a present moment to recuperate ... to heal. Then he could manage it. Maybe in a few minutes ... if he just concentrated on breathing.

'' Dragon ? ``

The phonation registered on the higher stretch of his mind but did naught to the blue. He knew he should respond somehow but had no idea how to.

'' Are you awake ? '' A face came into prospect, framed by pep hairsbreadth. Draco coughed roughly, shock making his pharynx close like a vice. His legs came up, trying to veil himself from the female child in front of him. She disappeared like a ghost and Draco momentarily thought he had imagined her. But then a sound material dropped on top of him from the top of the cage. He weakly pulled the wind cloth over him and tried to cut through himself without scraping the cloth over his skin.

'' Draco ... are you alright ? ``

'' Do I search alright ? '' Draco whispered.

'' Do you want some urine ? ``

'' Why are you here ? '' Draco wrapped the cloth around himself and tried once again to labour himself to his articulatio genus and scuffle closer to the legal profession. `` What are you doing in my room ? ``

'' Well sorry for caring if you were alright ! ``

'' I 'm a werewolf. I 'm not alright. I will never be alright. '' Draco 's eyes flickered down to Ginny 's crumple clothes. They were the like single she had been wearing yesterday. Draco realized he could even smell Ginny 's scent on the throw over him, and wafting over from his deep armchair. `` Did you sleep here ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' You idiot ! You slept in a elbow room with a werewolf ! What if I had broken absolve ! You could have been killed ! ``

'' You would n't have hurt me. ``

'' Do you live what a werewolf is ? '' Draco shook his head, all this shouting was making his already aching headland split apart. `` Of course I would experience hurt you ! ``

'' Alright fine. '' Ginny crossed her blazonry. `` But I could have stunned you or- ''

'' While you slept ? ``

'' I ... ''

'' Why were you here anyway ? '' Draco hugged his arms to him, trying not to throw up.

'' I just ... '' Ginny 's eyes dipped. `` I came here to see if you were alright, but you were already transformed. I was so timeworn, I just went to sleep. ``

'' You just ... went to kip ? '' Draco 's middle widened, then closed again when the light hurt his brain. `` Why did n't you go to your own elbow room ? ``

'' I just ... I just went to sleep. '' Ginny knelt down, she looked almost as tired as he felt. `` Seriously genus Draco are you alright ? ``

'' No. But it 's not any worse than I expected. '' Draco leant against the cake. Having someone there might
actually be a skilful thing, it forced him to get up and act with some color of normality. If Ginny had n't been there he probably would have still been lying on the trading floor. `` Lupin came and told me what to require. He did n't leave anything out. At the clock time I hoped he might be exaggerating ... ''

'' Draco ... ''

'' I ca n't trust this cage is the ease of my lifetime ... '' Draco bowed his point, resting his headway against the bars. He closed his eye, letting himself slide down. It was n't just that he would consume to go through this every twenty-eight day. That he could almost have dealt with. But the fact that he was a ... a thing ... he could n't give up himself to be a marauder now. There was no way he could put the others under that kind of peril, not with a monster inside him. He could n't go back to Hogwarts either, that was out of the interrogative. All those tike ... he would be putting them all in danger.

So what was his life story now ? He might as well never leave this cage ... he really should have slit his own throat. If only the wildcat had ripped its own heart out during the night.

His life story was now worth nil. Why ...

'' Draco ... ''

Why the hell was she still here. Why would n't she leave. Why was she- WHAT THE HELL !

Draco 's eyes shot open as soft lips slammed roughly into his.
*


He was n't moving his lips against hers and his eyes were wide with panic. Ginny drew back, her hands shaking a little. That had been her kickoff real kiss. On the whole it had n't been very good. She could taste blood on her lips.

'' Ginny ? '' Draco 's voice was dry and startled. `` Why .... why ? ``

'' To remind you you have something to to live for you prat. '' Ginny said angrily.

'' To be ... for ... '' Draco 's eyes widened in understanding. `` You mean you ... like ... Me ? ``

'' Yes ! Merlin 's beard you 're dense ! '' Ginny rocked back on her cad, hugging her arms to her thorax. genus Draco was just sitting there, staring at her. It was like she 'd had broken his head. `` Well ? Are n't you going to say something ? ``

'' But ... you ca n't ... '' Dragon 's eyes were flickering wildly. `` You ... but I 'm ... ''

'' What ? '' Ginny broke in. `` You think because you 're a werewolf I could never be with you ! ``

'' Yes ! '' Draco blurted.

'' You think I care ! ``

'' You ... you ... yes you should care. '' Draco pulled his stroke closer about him. `` You should like. ``

'' Well I do n't ! ``

'' Well I do. '' Dragon shook his head frantically. `` I could n't do that to you. I mean ... associating you with a creature. Could n't do that. To you. You deserve advantageously. I 'm ... I 'm pitiful. ``

'' And what I want. '' Ginny gritted her teeth, Her meat was a churning whirlpool, beating faster and faster. She didn ‘ t know if she wanted to burst into tears or plug the shaking boy in front end of her. `` That does n't matter to you ? ``

'' On balance. No. '' Draco shrunk back to the other end of the coop."I ‘ m sorry Ginny ... you should leave. I ‘ m so no-account. I just ... I ‘ m sorry and you ..."

"diaphragm !"Ginny knew which one now. Her fists were twitching."Just stop you ... you ... boy ! You think you can just apologize !"

"fountainhead what else can I do ?"

"You can keep out up !"Ginny stood and stomped towards the doorway."Get yourself out of the bloody cage !"

She slammed the door shut angrily.

Bloody prat.
*


Dragon slammed his forehead against the bars. The ringing promissory note grated on his capitulum but the pain just melted into the agony already sinking through his skull.

What else could he have done ? He was just ... broken.

"well you bolloxed that up didn ‘ t you."

Draco's oral sex rose slowly and when he saw who had spoken he quickly pulled his throw around to brood himself better. Harry was leaning against the wall nonchalantly. He had monolithic Negroid bags under his eyes and he smelled like stale drink and cigars. Draco realized he'd been smelling that for awhile.

"How much did you find out ?"

"Not all, but enough."Harry's eyebrows rose.

"I don ‘ t want to tattle about it. It ‘ s done."

"Wasn ‘ t gon na citation it."Harry folded his weapon system."Wasn ‘ t gon na mention how you basically emo-slapped a close admirer. How you cut her center out with a great big knife made of mislaid poignancy. Was n't going to tinge on the fact that you 're a TOTAL MORON ! Not gon na -"

"Shut up Harry. You don ‘ t know what you ‘ re talking about."Dragon pulled his cam stroke closer about him.

"Instead I was going to ask if you think you ‘ ll be alright by this evening."Harry smiled evilly."I found the al-Qaida of the ninja guy, and I think we need to pay them a visit."

'' I do n't ... I do n't have a go at it if I 'll be up to it. '' Dragon shook his head. It was n't self ruth, just unsubdivided truth.

'' Well I 'm going to be offering them gravid amounts of your money in add-on to mine so you might desire to be there. ``

'' cave in them whatever you want. '' genus Draco waved his hand vaguely. `` I do n't want any of it. I never did. Just entrust me enough to inhabit on. ``

'' So you 've decided to experience ? '' Harry stepped forward, grinning cheekily. `` If I 'd bang a kiss was all you needed I would have dragged Ginny here myself. Heck I would'a kissed you if got you to finish eyeing up the alphabetic character openers. '' Harry drew his wand and flicked it towards the cage door. Draco pushed it and it swung open slowly.

'' It was n't the kiss. '' Draco shakily crawled out of the John Cage and rose to his understructure, the drive making him sickish. `` It was n't the osculation. ``

'' Do n't conceive you. '' Harry shrugged and turned towards the threshold. `` I think someone 's making oatmeal in the kitchen. Not Molly Weasley but still ... '' With a terminal moving ridge Harry clomped off down the corridor.

Draco leant back against the Cage, too tired to try to dress. His living had, in a day, get much, much more complicated. And the lycanthropy was only office of it.
*


Harry stood outside the door to the ward at St Mungos and bit his lip. It had been over a day since the awful engagement. Over a day since they had seen him. What was he supposed to say ? Would they accuse him of not being there for them ? They would be right to. But there had been too many things that he had to do, and not enough time to do them. His sorcerous eye flicked from bed to bed. How could he talk to them when every moment he could see the hurt that had been done to them. Damage that was his fault.

'' Why have n't you gone in ? ``

Harry spun at the sound of the new phonation behind him, then relaxed. He let out a suspiration of relief.

'' Thea, '' Harry stepped forward and hugged the niggling illusionist, pressing her into his chest. `` You 're all right. ``

'' I did n't have to do any of the fighting. '' Pythea murmured against him before pushing away and fixing him with an apprising stare. `` Where have you been ? ``

'' I was trying to find out ... Trying ... I was working. '' Harry 's eyes flickered around to the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth. `` I should have come Sooner. I 'm sorry. ``

'' You do n't throw to rationalise to me. '' Pythea smiled. `` You always get the hard decision Harry. ``

'' I should go in now. ``

'' No, do something for me first. '' Pythea put a hand on Harry 's shoulder.

'' What ? ``

'' Tell a joke. ``

'' What ? ``

'' I 'm unplayful Harry. ``

'' A ... a gag ? '' Harry did n't have it away where this was coming from. `` This is n't exactly a joking fourth dimension. ``

'' Harry at the end of last year you promised we had seen the last of the furious, self-destructive, madly driven and vengeful man you had become. Do n't break that promise. Do n't go through that door as that man, he ca n't help them. Them, and me, we want the old Harry back. The one I 've seen this summertime. Please. ``

'' I ... I ... '' Harry felt his mouth dry. Was he going back to the dark place ? Maybe. Getting weird magical stuff stuffed into his ivory did sound remarkably appealing. But he could still win without it. He was n't the Heron of divination, he was doing matter his way. Harry smiled wryly. `` I jumped off a building. ``

'' What ? ``

'' Twentieth floor. I forgot I do n't have a drop-gem any more. ``

'' You jumped off a edifice ? '' Pythea incredulousness turned to giggles. `` Harry you are insane. ``

'' Broke my cane too. '' Harry smiled as the girl in front of him chuckled into her hand. `` Then I was mugged. ``

'' Mugged ? You ? Really ? ``

'' If you want a new necklace the guy 's teeth are probably still there. '' Harry grinned. `` That enough of a joke for you ? ``

'' That will do nicely Harry. '' Theia shook her head, still laughing quietly.

'' So I can go in now ? Or do I have to serve some riddles as well ? '' Harry asked, smiling. When Thea nodded he stepped towards the doorway. `` Thank you Thea. ``

'' You 're receive Harry. ``



Have n't actually written anything more. Not undecomposed. My buffer zone of pre-written chapters is running thin ...


Have managed to write a bit more now. Stupid things like my stage and real sprightliness maintain getting in the way.





Harry could have sworn his sinew were tensed like pencil eraser dance band. His eye was spinning rapidly, seeking every darkness and his heart was pumping with the light staccato pound of suspense.

'' Well this is a wonderful place for an ambuscade. '' Harry tugged his coat in closer to him and stared up at the scraggy cliffs to either side.

'' Do you see an trap ? '' Snape asked calmly, striding next to him.

'' No, but I do n't trust them not to have some tricks up their arm. '' Harry sighed and trudged forward along the boisterous stone course. It was late enough that the air was pleasantly cool down, the sun still streaming brightly over the cliffs to their left. They were far enough from the muggle road that the alone auditory sensation in the air was the whistling of the twist and the buzzing of insects.

'' Are you sure they are here ? '' Snape asked, glancing up at the Welsh drop. `` It does not appear like the kind of place for the Lie Gou. ``

'' What were you expecting ? Chinatown ? '' Harry tweaked an eyebrow.

'' Perhaps. ``

'' Too predictable. '' Harry 's eye picked up their finish in the distance, shimmering glassily in the sun. It was a moment farsighted before it came into true up view, a minuscule lake in the centre of attention of the vale. The path meandered towards it, crossing a petty stream and cutting a path through the heather. As it drew close to the still glassy water Harry drew to a point and looked down. Little turn pebbles.

'' Is this it ? '' Snape stopped next to him.

'' This is where the guy said. '' Harry could n't see anything out of the ordinary bicycle even with his magic eye. It just looked like a convention lake.

'' There was a password. '' Snape prompted.

'' Keep your incalculably oleaginous hair's-breadth on. '' Harry knelt down and put his lips right up to the water. `` Agoredig Ffordd. '' The pressure of his words made rippling on the pee. He straightened up. zero had happened.

'' Are you certain those were the row ? '' Snape sounded doubtful.

'' Relax Edward Teach. '' Harry closed his eyes. `` This is far uncollectible for me if I 'm incorrect. '' He leant forward and allowed himself to fall, brain first, into the water.

The icy water felt like a curtain of silk. No wetness. No fear. No pebbles. Harry 's momentum spun him up on the other side and he had a moment of dizziness when his brain told him he was standing on a ceiling. He took a breathing time and steadied himself. Everything around him looked the Saami, same rocks, Lapp wind. He could almost have got been fooled into thinking he had n't moved at all.

With a whispering stir Snape sprang out of the lake. Harry gave him a moment to settle himself before asking,

'' Satisfied ? ``

'' That password was Cymry. '' Snape glanced back at the lake. `` Not Chinese. ``

'' I know, '' Harry shrugged. `` I figure this lieu is probably ancient, the Lie Gou just took it over. ``

'' Interesting, '' Harry could see the gears spinning in Snape 's head.

If you 're thinking there may be other ways in here. Harry fixed his eyes to Snape 's There probably are, but can we trust that the Lie Gou do n't know about them ?

Not with any certainty. Snape shook his head. And you are right on. We should put across this way while in there territory.

Interesting how you try to make that sound like your musical theme. Harry rolled his eyes.

'' Did your source tell you where to go side by side ? '' Snape said out loud.

'' No, but I can imagine. '' Harry smiled and pointed out behind Snape. The potions master turned.

'' Ah ... yes. '' The paries of the valley was carved out in massive Harlan Fisk Stone columns and a massive stair had been hacked into the rock. At the top, framed against the setting sun, was a tiered temple in red Wood. Rising up to the sky like a pyramid of fervidness. `` I suppose this is the plaza. ``

'' They should be expecting us. '' Harry set off, his cane clicking on the stone. `` But I 'm not looking forward to all those stairs. ``

As they set off across the Calluna vulgaris Harry let his eyes wander. This place looked entirely normal up close but the farther away you looked the more the aspect seemed flat and artificial, like whoever had made this stead hadn't extended it lots beyond this valley. There were animals though, insect and birdie and rabbit in their holes underground. To what degree was this lieu just a reflection ?

Harry shook his head. An academic or a historian might deal. He didn't. They reached the pes of the gravelly hewn step and Harry snorted and turned to Snape.

If I climb that I ‘ ll be useless once we ‘ re at the top.

It would be better if we do not evidence signs of impuissance. Snape agreed, glancing up at the far off temple.

Harry glanced around until his eye fell on a lowly Boulder, no larger than a pillow. He drew his scepter and crouched down beside it. One whispered spell made it shift in it's bed of moss. A second made it ring like a bell and with the tertiary it flashed gold.

Harry sat on the stone, crossed his legs and laid his staff across his knees. The Harlan Fisk Stone slowly rose into the air and hovered there, humming quietly. Snape almost looked impressed.

Would you be able-bodied to escape on that if outcome do not turn out in our favor ?

Don't bet on it. Harry began floating up the stair, maintaining eye contact with his teacher. The spells I used were a very canonic version of the I used to construct broom handle. That should give you an approximate guide to how very much control I have over this matter. Slow hovering is the best I can do.

They climbed the steps in secretiveness for awhile, the cool wind whistling around the carve pillars. The domain seemed bleak and deserted. Seemed.

We're being watched. Harry noted the future time he caught Snape's eye.

Of track we are.

Remind me what stops them from knifing us on the post ?

The possibility that we can hold them more Au than they would earn by killing us.

And if it turns out we can ‘ t ?

Snape didn ‘ t answer. Harry eased his scepter in the banding of his belt. This would be interest. The terminal steps brought the rest of the tabernacle into perspective. It seemed low now than it had before, not much larger than a pocket-sized firm. It was surrounded by a uncomplicated garden, just flat skunk and belittled pocket billiards. There weren ‘ t even any koi in the pool, just a very British people frog. Harry didn't know what he had been expecting. cherry tree trees perhaps. But of path these men were assassinator, they probably didn't have much time for gardening.

Speak of the deuce ...

The painted door on the straw man of the temple opened and an older valet de chambre in a simple aristocratical robe stepped out.

"We have been expecting you."Was all he said."Come inside. You must leave your shoes here."

Harry lowered his rock'n'roll to the floor with a clunk and raised himself to his substructure. He unlaced his boots and left them there on the boundary of the drop-off before stepping towards the door. Snape put a restraining hand on his shoulder and Harry reluctantly let the quondam wizard lead. The doors were swung open for them and the old man led them through a scant hallway.

The walls looked like ... walls. They had warded them against magical methods of surveillance and apparently that included his eye. Was that knowing ? Had his eye become commons cognition or had the warding always been there as a precaution. Harry tried not to give any sign that he was uncomfortable but for a man who had gotten used to XXIV seven x-ray views the sudden lack was claustrophobic.

Get it together.

Harry followed Snape and their guide into a way at the face of the edifice. The false igniter of this mirror world streamed in through the prominent windows onto a put over standing low on the floor. There was already a pot of tea and three empty loving cup waiting for them.

"If you would wait here."The old guide said, indicating the tabular array."I will see if master Sasori is ready to speak to you."He backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. Snape and Harry stepped towards the mesa and sat cross legged beside it. Neither so a good deal as reached for the tea.

Sasori sounds Japanese. Harry noted. I thought the Lie Gou was based in Cathay ?

They accept initiates from many blank space. Snape's interpreter was calm in Harry's judgment. And in any slip it is almost certainly not his real name. recall no More of it, contract on learning what we can.

I'm trying, but my eye's giving me nothing. Harry admitted to his companion. Have you learnt anything I should know about ?

I think we are dealing with very intelligent people.

Not that intelligent. Not if they think we're pillock enough to drink the tea.

I meant this building. Snape glanced around at the walls. I believe it is larger on the inside than on the exterior in the manor of many wizards building. However a visitor who had only been shown these few rooms would leave thinking this synagogue no bigger than it appears.

When in world unit ground forces could be housed here. Harry finished off the cerebration. How did you mould that out ?

There are certain signs. For someone familiar with this variety of enchantment.

I didn't feel anything.

That is why you are still a pupil Harry. And why I am still your teacher. A faint smile tugged at Snape's lips.

well you're not directly my teacher. Harry chuckled. Not unless you've Menachem Begin accepting T degree into your newt class.

The doorway was opened quietly and both Harry and Snape's center flashed no the new arrival. He was dressed in a suit, black and clean in every credit line, but Harry could see the knifes hidden in his sleeves. His grooming was every inch the businessman but he had broad tattoos on the backs of his work force, one a cycle of fire, the other a fox's oral sex. A portrayal of incongruence. Nothing what it seemed. He was Japanese, Harry could see now, so at least the name wasn't a number fake.

"goodness evening."The man spoke quickly and with business firm self assurance."My gens is Sasori, and I am the leader of the Lie Gou in this contribution of the world. You are Severus Snape and Harry Potter. Welcome. I believe you had something to discus with me."Sasori stepped up to the low board and sat quickly. Without waiting for them to verbalise he reached over and poured himself a small cup of green tea. Harry supposed that was supposed to put them at ease. Why the hell would it ?

"We are here to pay you to drop one of your currently existing contracts."Nothing about Snape was moving but his mouth.

"Our agreement with Tomas Riddle ?"Sasori spoke with his tea held up to his sass."This is the contract you refer to ?"

"Yes. We will pay you whatever the dark Lord has offered and ten percent more besides. It is a serious offer. You know the Au we have available to us."Snape indicated Harry with his arm."In getting even you will not only cease your employment under Voldemort but you will also pour down him and bring in us both his head and that of his two remaining disciples."

"You offer us that without knowing how much we are being offered already ?"The assassinator smiled."You are so for sure you can supply what you promise ?"

"We have the wealth of two ancient wizarding sign of the zodiac behind us. And more besides."

"Yes."Sasori tapped his finger against the edge of his small cup."But I do not believe it will be enough."

"What has the dark God Almighty offered you ?"Harry could smell Snape's stress rising.

"I can not tell you that."

"Has he offered you something former than gold ?"

"No. The Lie Gou have only ever worked for amber. Precious gemstone in exceptional circumstances. And once, just once, for the hand of a beautiful woman."Sasori smiled. Snape did not.

"Would you prefer if I set a number ?"Snape laid his workforce on the board."One million galleons."

"Not nearly enough."Sasori chuckled.

"Ten million."Snape fixed the man across the tabular array with a spotlight."The current heritor to the Potter and Malfoy portion are surprisingly unworried about fiscal concerns. If ten million is unsatisfactory perhaps you should identify your price."

"Perhaps you should realize the meaning of the Word of God no."The man run forward."I am rejecting your offer Mr Snape. I do not mean to be harsh but, even if you could pay us more than him, we must abide by our commitment to Mr riddle. It would shame me to do less."

Trygve Lie. Harry watched the bravo eyes as he stood. You don't give a rat's asshole about honour. That'shame me'bull is just telling us what you think we expect to hear. Why are you lying ? What else is going on here ?

"You should both go away now."Sasori stepped away towards the doorway."No one will stop you on your way out."

No one did. Which was even weirder.
*


"That didn ‘ t make any sense."Harry commented once they were safely back to central office."It was like he didn ‘ t want to give up the contract but didn ‘ t want us to know why."

"I am more rum about why they simply let us leave."Snape shook his head."If the contract with the nighttime Creator means so much to them they should let killed us."

"Perhaps they weren ‘ t sure they could pose us ?"Harry suggested. At Snape's withering stare he shrugged."Ok, so that was a poor fish idea."

"So we have another mystery."Snape grimaced."We have too many already."

"Perhaps he ‘ s blackmailing them."Harry said hopefully."Or holding Sasori ‘ s wife/daughter/pet hamster hostage. There ‘ s obviously some reason why this job ‘ s so important to them."

"Perhaps."Snape nodded faintly."The musical theme is worth investigating anyway, though he did not look like a man with lie with ones in danger. He seemed too calm."

"He wasn ‘ t."Harry growled."His heart was running a minuscule fast. He was neural from the here and now he stepped into the room. Concealed it well though. Bastard."

"Could you tell if he was lying about anything ?"

"I don ‘ t think he was."Harry hazarded."Heart rate isn ‘ t a hundred-percent judge of when someone ‘ s lying. It was weird, but it almost seemed like he was calmer once you started offering money."

"Strange."

"Whatever."Harry rolled his eyes."I have n't slept in a surprisingly long time. Unconsciousness does n't calculate. I 'm going to bed."

"time lag one moment."Snape waved Harry towards the room where he had set up his lab."I need to check in on what has happened since we left and I believe you should hear it too."

"Do n't campaign yourself they says ..."Harry grumbled as he followed after his teacher."Do n't be like you were last class they says. But when I want to sleep ? Oh no-"

"Be quiet Harry."Snape snapped as he pushed the door open. Natalies head rose from the table as they entered and she wordlessly pushed a folder towards Snape.

"Has anything of greenback happened ?"Snape asked.

"You could understand the file."

"Your assessment will be more succinct."Snape rubbed his temples."The main head please."

"The autopsy solvent have come back on the absolutely fighters. They were not automaton, or inferi. We do n't sleep together what they are. Their figure is just rotting now, nothing living. We did find something obscure in their organization but we can not discover it."

"And the dead Lie gou ? The ones Ginerva found in the leaky cauldron ?"Snape indicated a bloodstained knife with a tag tied around the handle.

"They were stabbed."

"I gathered that."

"They were poisoned first."Natalie shook her head."I believe the regime of potions they had been taken made them marginally resistant. The killer had to wind up them off. Would you like to run a risk a surmisal as to the poison used ?"

"Everybody 's friendly locality vigilance man again ?"Harry said from his billet slouched on a chairman. At Natalie 's nod he chuckled."Nice to know he 's still out there."

"It would be right if we could fetch him in."Snape fixed Harry with a stare.

"You want to arrest him ?"

"I want to know how he created his poison."Snape answered tonelessly."I am sure it could cause even More damage in able hands."

"You are so much cool than Dumbledore."

"But there seems to be no way to catch him."Snape picked the knife up carefully with the tips of his fingers."I assume there was null useable on this ?"

"There was mud, sweat and hair."Snape made no move to drop the knife despite Natalie 's words. Harry 's ears pricked up.

"It was his knife ?"Harry asked quizzically."I mean not found at the vista or stolen off a corpse ? He brought it with him ?"

"As far as we can tell yes."

Harry stood, carefully took the blade from Snape 's script and folded it into a piece of parchment from the table.

"He has left evidence in his previous crimes."Snape pointed out."It has never amounted to anything before."

"Before now,"Harry smiled."You did n't have a seer."
*


"Harry ?"

"Yes Theia ?"

"You 're in my room."

"Yes, that 's true."

"In the heart of the night."

"This is also true."

"The door was locked."

"If you call that annoying charm a lock."Harry grinned in the half-light. This was a game. It was fun. In a lot of mode it was better than sleep."Do n't you want to know why I came ?"

"Can I guess ?"Pythea arched an eyebrow, but a swoon grinning played on her lips.

"You can guess."Harry shrugged."You 'll imagine wrong but you can guess."

"Really ?"Thea incline forward to look into Harry 's eyes. The faint light gave her a grimace a ghostly look, entire of shadows."You do n't think I 'll suppose ? What could you be here for ? ... In the midsection of the night ..."

Harry did n't say anything. He just chuckled.

"Why, why, why ..."Theia leant closer, then smiled."You require my help with something. You want me to try and see something for you."

"Damnit."Harry shook his oral sex wryly, the patch broken."You sure you ca n't read brain any more than ?"

"I often do n't take to."Pythea held out her helping hand. Harry reached into hie pocket and drew out the knife."Interesting ..."Pythea took it and held it on her lap.

"It was used to kill two of the Lie Gou."Harry leant back on the armchair."I though ... I do n't know ... maybe you could find out who owned it or something. Skry for them or some mystic matter like that."

"Harry go to sleep."Thea was speaking quietly, her eyes still dreamily focussed on the knife in her hands.

"rest ?"

"This will take awhile, and you 're tired."Thea stood up, her center still fixed."Use the bed."

"I can just sleep on a chair-"

"I need the chair. You take the bed."

You do n't call for the death chair. Harry rolled his centre as he stood and moved over to the bed.

He fell asleep almost instantly, his judgment trying to make up for the stress and exhaustion of the past few twenty-four hours. In his dreams he occasionally saw a Stanford White figure, chanting softly to something she was holding before her. Even in the ambition he knew what that was. Having an eye that could see through your own eyelids made for realistic dream. That was why he knew that she was done far before he eventually woke, the daybreak twinkle cyclosis in through the curtains.

"You did n't ignite me."Harry said, his optic still closed.

"I thought you needed your sleep."

"Like you needed the chair ?"Harry opened his eyes and sat upright piano. On the table next to Pythea a rough map had been drawn on parchment. A diminished town, nestled in a vale. Further up the map was a fragile X."The murderer 's there ?"Harry pointed.

"I do not imagine so Harry, it was very faint."Pythea shook her head."The knife lay there a tenacious clip before the murderer picked it up. The chances that he is still there are-"

"Low."Harry pulled the rough survey over to him. The public figure of the town was written at the bottom in Pythea 's graceful hand."Might as well check it out though, for lack of anything more constructive to do."

"Do you want me to go with you ?"

"It 's a long jibe at best."Harry shrugged and pocketed the paper."Besides, you were up all night. You need the bed now."Harry stood and stepped towards the threshold."I 'll secern you if I find anything interesting."

"Do n't inflame me."Pythea 's smile waved him out the door.
*


Harry reached the sleepy-eyed village and breathed clean air. No one much was out yet, the sun hanging was still hanging mistily over the hills.

The map said that the knife came from north of the town. Harry set off in that counseling, glad to at least have something constructive to do after all the confusion and chaos. A shopkeeper waved to him while at the Saami time squinting like he was an intruder. Harry waved back and carried on. The sign thinned out and Harry found himself walking along a area road, theatre of operations on either side. He checked his little cartoon map again. It was somewhere east of the road.

Harry 's eyes scanned the theater and the trees beyond it. There was no path to speak of, just a sorting of track that looked like it was used by hare more often than humanity. Harry made for it warily and slowly climbed up through the trees, his walking stick digging into the mud. Harry 's eye kept getting flashes from up ahead, through all the trees and life.

As he got closer he slowed down, silencing his footfalls. Between the trees were the ruins of a house. Not even a house, a shack. It was surrounded by bramble and almost consumed by the forest. Ivy covered every beam and wall. Without his eye Harry was n't sure he would have seen it as a house at all.

Without his eye he also would n't get seen the man inside it.

Harry slid closer slowly. The man was crouched on the ground, shivering, his thin tree branch shaking. Now that Harry was closer he could see the man for what he was, a wretch, he could barely see a shred of material body on the man 's pearl. The thing that made up to the highest degree of his weight was probably his hair and matted beard. It certainly was n't in the tattered gown he was wearing. Harry scratched his head, thaumaturgist aged slower than muggles, so how old was this guy ? He looked like he was older than Dumbledore had been.

"Sashias !"The man 's head jerked up and he spun to look right at Harry through the wall of the building."Sashias !"

What the ? Harry jumped backwards and swiftly flung a disillusionment charm over himself. How had he known ?

The man scuttled out of the family like a spider and his heart flashed from one bit to another like an animal.

"Sassicz."

Harry tried to propel away slowly, trying not to disturb any leaves.

"Saz !"The man leant down to the ground and held out his manus. Some ... affair slithered out of his sleeve.

It took Harry a moment to gain what he was seeing. It was a Snake River, small and grey and not much recollective than a rule. But then, it was n't, it was nothing. Nothing was there but a wisp of curling grayness roll of tobacco. Harry realized what it was. Only one of his heart was seeing the snake. To the former it would be just a shadow. To any normally sighted person ... the Hydra would be invisible.

Harry stepped to the incline but the snake made for him, slowly undulating it 's way through the leaves. Harry stepped again, and the Snake River changed direction. Making for him like a bloodhound. Harry '' s creative thinker threw up little remembering of an undiscovered and virulent toxin and stepped away more quickly. The snake kept after him, implacable death. Harry took a deep hint, clip to choose control.

"Please shout off your snake."Harry said, calmly and simply, trying to sound a little like Dumbledore."I am a friend."

The man 's head shot up and the snake froze in the grass. Harry dropped his camouflage and addressed old man directly.

"I am a friend. We both fight Voldemort. Please visit off the snake."

"Sissisi."The man 's eyes widened."Saz, cizissi."

The snake did n't proceed, it seemed to be eyeing Harry as sharply as it 's master was.

"Zaccussazic !"

"I ca n't see you."Harry tried to keep calm."You are speaking ... you 're speaking in parseltounge are n't you ? I need you to speak English."

"sister ... sss ...."

"My name is Harry."Harry started again."What is yours ?"

"gens ..."The first English word from the old man 's sassing was pharyngeal and raspy."gens ..."

"Yes, your name. What is it ?"

"Important."

"It is important."

"father said it was important."The decrepit man 's brow furrowed."Said it was sissica all we had."

"Yes."Harry tried to breath."So what is it ?"

"Forgot so much."Rotted teeth were priming together in anger."Made to cossuza ! Made to relax it all !"

"Please-"

"Riddle did it !"The old man spat."Riddle did it to me !"

"I understand."Harry tried to calm the dotty man, keeping one eye on the snake."He 's wound me too. We 're on the Sami side here."

"I want to kill him !"

"So do I, or failing that dismember."

"He took my mind !"

"I see that. Believe me."

"But I remembered !"The man pointed a murmur finger at his head."Out on the tilt ... out on Azkaban stone. He was there zassiz ! Broke it opened. I saw his brass. I remembered !"

"What. Is. Your. Name."

"My figure ?"The man snapped back to the represent his eyes fixing on Harry."My figure ?"

"Yes."

"Morfin Gaunt."





If you do not refresh then all the snow that has brought Britain to a standstill today ( and coincidently frozen by bloody fingers ) will be transported directly into your living room.


Harry sat cross-legged on the level of the tiny hut and looked across at the wizened figure before him. It had taken oven an hour of teasing little nuggets of information from the man in forepart of him but now he thought he finally had the unhurt story. Unbelievable as it was.

In a way it was hard to trust that the withered wretch in front of him, sitting stroking his pet snake 'Smokey'and mumbling faintly, was Voldemort 's uncle. Actually re-examining that sentence it was all too well-fixed. Harry tried to remember that this man was a crazy murdering vigilante, a man who had set his snake on people who were already unconscious. His idea was probably irredeemably broken and fried to insanity by his hanker arrest in Azkaban, plus the mind-flay Voldemort had worked on him. At to the lowest degree the false computer storage were gone now, broken when he saw Voldemort crush the prison. Now he was mostly an empty shell, all that was moving him forward was revenge for what Tom conundrum had done to him.

Harry was currently trying to do two things, the first was think of what to do about the situation. This was not complicated, if he handed Morfin to the self-confidence he lost an ally. If he did n't it was only a topic of time until person died who did n't deserve to. But if he handed him to Snape he had the Charles Herbert Best of both public. So that was that. The 2d matter he was trying to do was consider of how to abduct the Au box under the floorboard without Morfin noticing. It was warded too heavily too be Morfin 's workplace, and it was too Recent epoch to be the last residents. Which meant it was probably the slithery dark lord.

"Morfin,"Harry started slowly."You ca n't stay here. You said yourself that Voldemort knows about this place, if he ever figured out it was you this would be the beginning place he 'd look."

"This is my home ..."Morfin murmured, still looking at his pet snake.

"Is it more authoritative than retaliation ?"

"Where would I go ?"Now he was holding the serpent like a life line."Where could I ..."

"I know one place."Harry stood and gestured out the threshold."I 'll need to pussyfoot you to a flue pipe point, you can sneak right-"

"Apparate."Morfin unfolded like a paper spring.

"You can apparate ?"

"Yes."

"Hmm ..."Harry 's eyes narrowed. Perhaps this man could be utilitarian after all.
*


Harry got Morfin settled into one of the abandoned sign of the zodiac he had used during his vagrant calendar month the previous year before doubling back to the hut. He carefully sliced away the floorboards and lifted them away without touching them.

Beneath was the box. He could n't see inside it, but if someone went to this much hassle to hide something it had to be important. Harry waved his wand to divulge the protections on it and a myriad of flickering webs surrounded the little box. One or two he recognised, most he did not. Harry whistled admiringly ( got to admire all right work wherever it comes from ) and got to work.

In the end it took public treasury evenfall, long shadows making the trees outside loom enceinte. Harry did one final sweep oar to mark there were no other curses on the box, then flicked it open with the tip of his baton. interior lay a ring, tarnished Au set with a fatal Harlan Fiske Stone. Harry ran another exam on it and more hour crawled by as he removed the second layer of trade protection before dropping it into his bag.

Various muscles complained about his extend want of cause as he lifted himself off the base and levitated the boards back into place. He had done it. But what to do now ? hold out year he would have kept this enigma, secluded himself in some far off corner until he had sorted out the mystery story of this unknown physical object. Harry shook his question, should n't let himself fall into that again. Should n't. Besides, if he handed the ring to Snape there was a fortune he could get some sleep.
*


"That is an incredible story."Snape had his eyes fixed on the pack on the mesa between them."I do not doubt you but ..."

"I can contract you to meet Morfin if you like."

"No uncertainty I will meet him soon enough. I am more interested in this ring."

"Is it Voldemort 's ?"

"I have never seen him wearing it."Snape waved his hand through the air over the ring."Magic sometimes leaves traces. If it was his, in time I shall know."

"Great, I 'll leave it with you for now then."Harry stood and brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"Where are you going ?"

"fountainhead first I 'm going to eat whatever that is I can smell cooking, then I 'm going to fall asleep. Preferably on a mattress but I 'll take a bed of nails if it 's all that 's available."Harry turned and walked out of Snape 's lab, letting his nose lead the way.

His cane clicked on the tiles as he walked towards the kitchen but he slowed as he got closer. Raised vocalism could be heard within. Harry pushed the door open quietly and slid interior. By the stove a wizard with long ginger hair tied in a pony-tail was arguing with a shorter haired one. Harry recognised that one as Percy and, from verbal description, the former one as Bill Weasley. Beside they a frying pan was lying forgotten, bacon burning inside.

On the table nearby Ron and Ginny were huddled, they seemed to be trying to neglect the argument behind them. Harry sidled up to them and slew in beside.

"What 's going on ?"Harry asked while surreptitious levitating the bacon out of the pan."Those are your brothers are n't they."

"Yes."Ginny glanced behind her before looking away.

"What are they arguing over ?"

"Us."Ginny shook her head."Because mum and dad are in infirmary and they ... they are n't getting out soon the ministry says we need a shielder. measure came here because he thinks it should be him but ..."

"Harry Hotspur disagrees ?"Harry caught the burnt rashers out of the air and crunched one into his mouth."Do n't you get a say ?"

"Apparently not."Ginny shrugged. Ron just grunted, his head still bowed.

"They need constancy !"Percy was yelling from over by the range."They need mortal with a good job and a honest place here in Britain !"

"I have a job !"Bill snarled back."One that pays more than yours."

"For how long ?"Percy snapped."Gringots fired six of it 's human employees just last week. Some masses think they 're cleaning house."

"And what is that supposed to mean-"

Harry stopped listening. He levitated two testis out of a hoop and cracked them into the pan.

"Does it matter who they pick ?"Harry asked his Quaker."I mean, I do n't consume a defender and I 'm aright. Draco does n't have a guardian. Pythea does n't deliver a guardian. Why do they handle whether you do ?"

"You do n't get it Harry."Ginny shook her headway."You just don't."

"Guess not."Harry shrugged."Anyway 's, we 're all going to Hogwarts in a few daytime, it wo n't matter then."

"I hope not."Ron said quietly."I hope not."

Harry shook his header. Ginny was right, he did n't understand. Harry summoned his eggs and bit into them. Families eh ? They did n't piddle any common sense at all.
*


Returning to Hogwarts felt strange. The castle and the charming place around it had always felt like they were a separate universe. You got on the power train at Martin Luther King Cross and somehow entered a magical house of cards that you could n't leave alone except at Holidays. But in the final yr Harry had found that the bubble was like swiss cheese, he could leave any time he wanted.

It was sad to lose the head game. Ah well ...

There was something else that was gone as well. The curse on the defense mechanism against the drab nontextual matter military post was apparently gone. Markus Albert Abraham Michelson was still there, officially to learn but Harry knew he was now percentage of the order of magnitude. The first thing Harry did was ask for special training, for him and all the predator. They would need it.

Outside Hogwarts the wizarding globe was curling up into it 's scale like a snail. The massive attempt on Diagon skittle alley seemed to be too lots for masses, they were too scared. There were no more attacks like the kickoff but Voldemort 's dead men had been seen all over the country. Spreading concern wherever they went. Yes ... they definitely needed to train.

But for Harry it was n't enough and after just a few mean solar day back he found himself knocking on Snape 's door.

"Harry."Snape raised an supercilium as the door opened."You are no longer in any of my classes."

"I know. I bet you miss the explosions."

"What do you desire Harry ?"

"Have you made any procession with the ring ?"

"No."

"How about with the Lie Gou ?"

"Inquiries are continuing."

"And about Voldemort ?"

"I will let you know if anything significant happens."

There was a drawn out moment of silence.

"Is there ... anything I can do ?"Harry asked.

"I would like you and your friends to continue training with Markus."Snape said flatly.

"To fight ?"

"As a last resort."

"So basically you 're telling me to sit still and shut up ?"Harry folded his arms."come on Snape. I can be utile. I 'm wasted here ! I could do more."

"Can call up of something specific that you could be doing ?"

"Looking for Voldemort !"

"Where ?"

"Everywhere !"

"Peering under every John Rock ?"Snape said sarcastically."Would n't you be wasted doing that ?"

"I found the Lie Gou did n't I ?"Harry said pointedly.

"By talking to the underworld."Snape shook his fountainhead."Voldemort will not be hiding where petty thief can incur him."

"I need to do something !"

"There is nothing to be done."Snape snapped."Currently all you are doing is wasting my time ... wait."

"Yes ?"

"If you want to help with something ..."Snape stepped back into his place, then returned with a handwriting outstretched."employment on this."

The hoop glittered in his hand.

"Are n't you working on it ?"Harry reached out and took the ring, looking at it quizzically.

"I can divine no more from it."Snape 's voice carried an edge of frustration."There is something still there it just .... I do not get it on. You have shown an affinity for puzzles. Why do n't you try to divine it 's secrets ? If cipher else it will retain you out of trouble."With that Snape turned and pulled his door shut, leaving a puzzled Harry behind.
*


Despite the fact that the labor had been given to him only to shut him up Harry attacked it with fervour. He tried every revealing piece he knew on the hoop but zero registered. The only if prison term he got any clue that it was anything other than metal and stone was one meter when, in a fit of botheration, he put it on. He had felt so strange that he had slammed it back in the box and not looked at it for a day. It had felt like someone was watching him, little pricker down his acantha. He had n't tried to jade it again but had done a entirely book 's worth of ESP detection piece on it. Nothing happened.

"Maybe it 's not magical ?"Neville suggested over breakfast."Maybe Voldemort wanted to prevent it for some other reason."

"It 's magical all right."Harry had his straits slumped down on his blazon, staring at the tintinnabulation in the middle of the table."I can feel it."

"Harry you 're getting obsessed."Padma rolled her eyes.

"I 'm not obsessed ! I just ca n't believe of anything else !"

"leave him alone."Ron shook his nous."We know the ring belonged to Voldemort, so it must be important. Ca n't just ignore-"

"That 's it !"Harry sat bolt upright piano."It was Voldemort 's !"

"But Harry we knew that."Hermione said quizically.

"What I meant was it does n't count what spell 's on it."Harry explained."We know Voldemort owned it. So Thea can use it to scry for him, maybe chance out where he 's hiding."

"That 's a long shot Harry."Padma said."Do n't you imagine Voldemort would stimulate protected himself against that sort of matter ?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe he 's too weak."Harry stuffed the ring into it 's box and stood up."Do you know where Pythea is this morning ?"

"I think she was doing some work for the order. In her apartments."

"Really ?"Harry 's eye swivelled up in his point."Ah, I see her."Harry took off out of the large lobby. He hurried up to the Hogwarts Guest tail and knocked.

"Come in Harry."

Harry smiled and opened the threshold. Pythea was sat at the small table in the middle of the elbow room, maps splayed out in movement of her. One of the mathematical function had fiddling blue pins stuck in it. Harry wondered what the order was having her do, try to predict where the Lie Gou would discover no doubt. Or trying to find Voldemort.

"You were n't at breakfast."Harry pulled up a president and sat down side by side to the prophet."Your departure. There was porridge."

"I had a meeting with several edict members last night. It ran on quite late."Pythea sighed tiredly.

"Why is it you get meeting with order people and I don't."Harry cracked a smile."I mean we 're basically the same age."

"I do not believe they realise that."Pythea smiled.

"They 're not working you too hard are they ?"

"No Harry. I 'm fine."

"Cos I can take over some of the workload if you like."

"Are you a seer ?"

"No, but I can wee-wee it up. Is n't that what you do ?"Harry chuckled.

"No."

"Or we could get Trewalny to cut through for you !"

"Do you want to send out order extremity to their destruction ?"Pythea laughed and Harry chuckled. Pythea became serious again and tilt in towards Harry."What was it you came here for ?"

"I ca n't just come to visit you ?"

"Just ask me."

"Ok, fine."Harry rolled his eyes and slid the ring out of his pocket.

"Harry ..."Pythea raised her brow."We 're both a slight Cy Young to marry."

"Are you sure ?"Harry chuckled."I 'm rich, quite rich."

"No you 're not. Harry Potter is robust, you 're draining his cant account."

"Solanum tuberosum potato."Harry paused."That phrase does n't work so well in print. Not even with italics."

"Stop breaking the quartern paries and tell me what this ring is."Pythea took the ring out of Harry 's paw and raised it to her heart."There is some symbol on it."

"It 's from some nutzo myth."Harry snorted."The important thing is that this ring belonged to Voldemort."

"And you want me to use it to find him ?"Pythea shook her read/write head."The wickedness lord will certainly have protected his hiding piazza from scrying."

"I just need something."Harry pleaded."He did this hoop really carefully, wad of bewitchment. It obviously matters to him somehow. I just need to make love why. throw me something."

"I will try Harry. But I can not promise anything."Pythea held the ring in both her hands and closed her eyes."You should get to your lessons Harry. This could submit a while."

"Lessons ?"

"The things you go to school for."

"Oh right ! Them."Harry stood and turned to the threshold."I 'll ensure back after course. Or before, if I get bored."

Harry slid in late into his image defense mechanism course of study. It did n't matter too much, the vulture were working to a different curriculum. He joined the rest of them and took his home on the duelling line. He glanced at Draco opposite him and noted the bass bags under his eyes and his slouch stance. Full moon last Night. He should sustain remembered.

"How was it ?"Harry asked.

"Horrendously awful. Like before."Draco grated dryly."What did you opine ?"

"That it would be roses and kitten and drum of candy."Harry raised his wand."You know I wo n't go easy on you."

"Great."Draco shuddered."Bloody wonderful."

Harry did n't go easy on him. It would receive been insulting. After the class Draco went to find a bath of ice to lie in and Harry went back to Pythea 's stern. He knocked and pushed the door open.

"Any progress ?"Harry asked the little seer.

"No Harry."Pythea shook her headspring."I could not bump anything."

"Are you sure ?"Harry slouched dejectedly."Nothing ? Not even why he hid it ?"

"nobleman Voldemort protected himself too well."Pythea shook her promontory."I could find nothing."

"Damnit."Harry scratched his brain."I really hoped ... well never mind."

"I will keep trying."Pythea stood, her manus folded in her sleeves in front of her."If I find anything I will differentiate you at once."

Harry froze. Twisted tendrils of awe grew around his ticker. He had seen ...

"You 're wearing the ring."Harry stated flatly.

"Yes."Pythea responded without missing a musical rhythm."To obtain a better connection."

"pack it off."Harry slid around the table with his hand out.

"Harry you are being irrational."

"Please take the hoop off Thea."Harry tried to sound calm. He failed."Just take it off. Please."

"There is really no need."

"Humour me."

"You are worried over nothing."

"If it 's nothing take it off."

"If I wear it at all times I may see something I missed."

"Just have the freekin ring off Theia !"Harry stepped towards her."Please adopt it off !"

"No."Pythea took her hands out of her sleeves. Her interpreter was like ice."I will not."

"Oh ... crap."Harry froze, his mitt hovering over the air pocket where he kept his wand."You 're not Thea any-more are you ?"

"You seem unsettle Harry."Pythea smiled thinly."Is there some sort of job ?"Pythea 's hands were raising slowly. Harry twitched towards his verge. The hands stopped moving.

"You 're Voldemort. Somehow you 're Voldemort."Harry had looked into the snake faced son of a bitch 's eye enough time to recognise him staring back."The doughnut was ... was like the diary."

"You found my diary ?"Voldemort raised one treat eyebrow."That is disappointing. But no matter, even if the diary was destroyed I still survive and this ... this body will do nicely."

"You 're a freak who keeps trying to possess Edward Young girls."Harry tried to edge his hand finisher to his wand. Voldemort 's eyes snapped to his hand. Harry stopped."Just let her go."

"No."

"You will let her go."Harry 's teeth earth together."Or so help me I will name whatever life story you have full of pain."

"threat ?"Voldemort smiled again."You can not threaten me. Any damage you do to me hurts the girl. You could never hurt someone you care about-"

"Wrong."Harry slammed his clenched fist forward into his face. Voldemort fell backwards but Harry had already grabbed his arms and slammed them behind his back. Lightning flashed from his digit to the floorboard, bathing the room in white lighter. flame burst out of nowhere and Harry could barely hold onto the twist figure in his arms.

"Karziet !"Harry threw them both to the side as every piece of glass in the room exploded. Harry felt shard bite into his face and men but he held on grimly. He had to get that ring off ! He reached for it but a ignominious orb exploded out of Voldemorts thin handwriting, taking the end of his finger off.

"Stop bloody moving !"Harry slammed Voldemort onto the table and grabbed desperately for the gang, tearing it off his finger and flinging it into the fire.

Pythea instantly stopped moving, lying against the table. Harry slowly released her arms and looked into her face. Her nose was gushing line freely ( his fault ), and her eyes were squeezed shut.

"Thea ?"Harry whispered into her ear."It 's alright. The ring 's gone. It 's alright."

"I 'm so sorry."Theia murmured, her eyes still shut."I 'm so sorry."

"It 's ok."Harry drew his sceptre and sprayed a compact current of water over the burn room before turning back to Pythea."Are you ok ? I mean are ... are you ok ?"

"He got into my head."Pythea was shuddering, still not moved from her lieu sprawled on the table."The harder I pushed into it the more he had me."

"I 'm so sorry."Harry stepped forward and enveloped Pythea in a hug."I should have never given it too you, I should never-"

"No ! It 's my fracture. I should ingest been to a greater extent careful."Pythea opened her eyes and raised her manus to sweep Harry 's fount."I 'm sorry."

"It was my fault."

"I tried to pour down you !"

"Voldemort did. Not you."Harry pulled her finisher to him."But it 's fine now."

They stayed there like that for a while. The room smelt like sodden ashes but neither of them wanted to move. Finally Harry pulled back and smiled.

"Come on, we 'd better get you to lady Pomfrey. She 'll have to un-break your nose."Harry shook his head."Sorry I had to hit you so hard."

"You always choose the most direct solution to any problem. That is division of your charm."Pythea lean forward and kissed him lightly on his bloodstained forehead. Harry could sense a shard of glass motion under her lips, when she moved back it fell out, clinking onto the table between them. Harry 's affectionateness skipped about a million beats.

"We should get you to brothel keeper Pomfrey too."Pythea said breathlessly."You penchant of blood."
*


Harry left the illusionist in the hospital wing and made straight for Snape 's berth. He entered without knocking.

"Harry."Snape 's head snapped up from his desk."I heard you managed to bruise yourself again."

"It had been too long since I had to grow flesh back."Harry reached into his bag and brew out the box with the ring in it, dropping it onto the desk. In suddenly conviction he explained what had happened. When he was finished Snape be given back, gazing at the ring thoughtfully.

"Anyway I think it 's like the diary."Harry sighed."I 'm sorry professor. I should have seen it."

"How precisely should you have seen it ? On the open the items have no resemblance to one another."Snape said disparagingly.

"I just ... If I had seen it sooner Pythea would n't have-"

"I despise misplaced guilt potter. You have never displayed it before so do not start now."Snape picked up the doughnut 's box with his long fingers."Your experience tells us something. Now I merely have to function out what."

"That easy huh ?"Harry asked wryly.

"Easier than it was before."Snape looked like he was about to say something else but the door was pushed undefendable. Lucy Kindston was on the former English, plainly out of breath.

"Harry, you need to get to the Hospital wing."

"I was just there."

"fountainhead you need to get back."

"Wh ..."Harry 's centre widened."Thea ? ..."

"Just go Harry."

Harry 's heart was beating fast as he bolted out the door.



If you do n't review then your computer screen becomes like that bit in the ring where the girl comes out and kills you. Except instead of a girl it 's a cat. Seriously. Have you ever seen a long haired cat totally bedraggled and hissing and screaming and flying out of your screen ? Not honorable. And if you have high-def ... it 's twenty measure tall.


"Why are n't you doing anything."Harry had his fingers gripped tightly around the bar at the human foot of the bed.

"There is n't anything we can do Harry."Madam Pomfrey said quietly."We do n't know what is untimely with her."

"Then why are n't you looking."Harry snarled. He could n't look away from the bad in front of him. Lying on it, her skin deathly pale, lay Pythea."Why are n't you doing something ? Her heart 's getting slower."

"You ca n't know that Har-"

"HOW MANY EYES DO I HAVE !"

"I ... Harry please."Madam Pomfrey shook her head word."There is nothing I can do. Professor Snape is trying to-"

"He 's failing. He wo n't find anything."Harry snarled."There 's zero on that god damn ring !"

"Then there is nothing that can be done."

"I just need to do something !"Harry shuddered with nervous energy.

"Until we know what the ring did to her we can not fix it."

"Then ..."Harry breathed."Then we need something that fixes everything !"

"Harry nothing like that exis- Where are you going !"

Harry stomped out of the hospital annex as fast as his hurt leg would carry him and barged past the agglomerate marauders.

"Where are you going Harry ?"Ginny yelled at his retreating back.

"Out."

"We should make out with you to-"

"No."Harry snapped as he tried to put some aloofness between himself and his Friend. Unfortunately none of them were down a leg and could preserve up with him easily.

"Harry this is for Pythea is n't it ?"

"No. I 'm going for a walk of life in the Mungo Park with the fluffy bunny girl rabbits."

"Harry let us help you !"

"Go away you bloody-"

"You promised you would n't do this any more Harry."Neville broke in suddenly. Harry froze. He had.

"I did."Harry turned slowly."Does anyone bed how to climb mountains ?"
*


"Harry where are we ?"Hermione panted.

"Mountain."Harry barked as he stabbed his hiking pole into the undercoat and stomped on. Beside him the gaunt human body of Morfin shook in what could experience been a silent chuckle.

"She meant specifically."Lucy Kingston was up ahead, the only when one of them who seemed to be actually enjoying the climb."Those buildings down there look like we 're somewhere in the midway East ?"

"Turkey."Harry winced as he slipped on the loose rock'n'roll and had to catch himself on his pole."Frederick North Anatolian. That 's where we are specifically. Where we are relatively is 'Not high enough'”

"Where are we headed to Harry ?"Lucy squinted up at the snow-clad point ahead."What are we trying to line up ?"

"You 'll see by nightfall."Harry tried to disregard the stabbing pain in his leg as he forced himself higher and gamey."We need to be at the snowline by the metre it gets shadow or we wo n't see them."

"I hope you do n't require to get to the top Harry."Hermione was still trailing."We do n't have any O or right clothing."

"Not to the top."Harry glanced up."Probably. Anyway I thought you 'd go up before ?"

"In welt, with my parents. Hiking a little."Hermione glanced down the long trail they had followed."Not wish this."

"well you volunteered so live with it. I 'm having a big clip of it than you."Harry glanced up ahead and shake up his head."The itinerary 's blocked with rocks this way. We need to go ... that way. For a while at least. Then we can track back, along the ridge."

"What ridge ?"

"You ca n't see it yet. It 's past the cliff."Harry pointed with his stick."Looks like we have to beat just for a bit then it 's a good path. stay fresh up that ... then ... over past that cliff ..."Harry trailed off, the early two marauders were looking at him strangely."I can see because of the eye. You knew that."

"What 's it like ?"Lucy asked quietly.

"You get used to it. Like walking around seeing double, except one of the doubling is see through. make you dizzy when you spin too fast."Harry paused for a moment to catch a breath."seminal fluid on ... we 've got a farsighted way to go and Thea 's dying."

They hiked up into the snowline, Harry did n't let them block until they could see snow on all four slope. When they could he cleared a rope around them and heated the reason so they would be warm.

"Why do n't we just have a fervor ?"Lucy sat down Cross legged on the ground.

"Because then we wo n't be capable to see."Morfin chuckled darkly.

"He 's correctly. You 're going to call for to see in the dark and you wo n't with a flack right next to you."Harry smiled slyly."I can only look in one focusing and I 'm not taking chances."

Harry sat down, looking in another counseling and waited. Slowly it got darker and darker. At least the Sun Myung Moon was out, that helped a little. Now all they had to do was observe ...

"What are we waiting for ?"Hermione asked quietly in the darkness.

"ardor. Look for fire."

"Oh ... !"Hermione 's eyes opened encompassing with shock."Are we looking for-"

"Yes. Now dressed ore and celebrate looking."

"Have you ever been there before-"

"No."Harry glared out into the duskiness, waiting for a foretoken. The night air grew colder and colder ... whispering past the four seated figures. Morfin was muttering something in parseltounge up his arm. Harry wondered for a moment if he had been right to bring him. No ... of course he had to. Without someone to apparate them it would have taken them ages to get up this high. Could n't apparate the repose of the way though. Funny things happened if you tried.

"There !"Lucy pointed off into the distance."I saw a newsbreak, like a firework."

Harry turned and squinted off in the counselling she was pointing. His eye zoomed in to it 's replete and ...

"That 's it. soundly show."Harry stood and lit his wand. A spark in the darkness."semen on."

"We 're going there now ?"Lucy shook her headspring."You want to travel around in these mountains at Night !"

"By dayspring it 'll have moved."Harry explained."And besides, it is n't dark for me."
*


Harry started off into the black, with Morfin following silently. Hermione looked at Lucy and gulped, before lighting her sceptre and following them into the fog. It was a terrify journey, following Harry 's steady itinerary across the tops of drop and along scree filled paths in the dead of night. Hermione kept telling herself it was for Pythea, for Harry 's friend. She even tried to seem forward to the site they would see at the end. But it was n't enough to counter the fear.

Every rock that skipped away from her feet sounded like a crack of thunder.

Ahead of her she could hear the unusual man Morfin muttering, behind were the steady, solid swinger of Lucy 's bang. Occasionally the girl behind her would reach out and lay a stabilize hand on her berm, making her parachuting. Hermione was grateful for the gesture, she just wished Lucy would afford her some warning.

"This is it."Harry 's articulation was like a knife through the blackness. Up ahead she could see him crouching beside a boisterous fracture in the rock, just boastfully enough to fit a man. As she watched the inside flashed like there was an explosion inscrutable inside, but it faded again in a moment. Hermione breathed deeply, trying to keep calm.

"Nervous ?"Harry asked quizzically."Do n't be. After all we 're a group of teen going into a spooky cave in the middle of the mountains in the dead of dark with a mass liquidator. What could possibly happen ?"

In the dark, Morfin grinned like a tiger.

"Harry ..."Lucy narrowed her eyes."catch that."

"You 've got goose egg to worry about."Harry grinned."They 'll even be former wizards inside. cum on, LET get to it. I want to bet on in Hogwarts by morning."

Harry slid into the crease in the rock and dissipated from view. Hermione steeled herself, then ducked in after him. The cave was really Thomas More of a tunnel, crawling forwards in a straightaway line. Of course what it really was was probably some sort of magic trick doorway that connected two unlike home entirely. Hermione found herself looking at the bulwark to try to see the joins. Up ahead the split second were becoming more shop at and a steady red glow was growing between them. Hermione felt upheaval grow, she was really going to see it ... really going to ...

"We 're here."Harry stepped out of the burrow ahead of her, giving her a full view as she pulled herself out of the rock. Her mouthpiece dropped surface as she saw what lay before them ...

"merlin 's ... something !"Before them the cave opened up into a deep valley, like an axe injury in the slope of the passel. Towering paries rose up on either side of them craggy and full-of-the-moon of more caves and pits. In the pocket-sized flight strip of primer in the center there was a plantation of what looked like olive trees twisty and antediluvian like they were sure-enough than the muckle itself. But that was n't the most stick thing. Flying above them in great swing out curved shape, and nesting in the stone ... one C of them ... filling the valley with fiery Light and making the completely home jester like a living fireworks presentation. Filling the valley with song, and the replication of Song dynasty ...

"Phoenixes."Lucy Kingston breathed in admiration."You brought us to the nesting ground."

"Yep."Harry nodded."Since we do n't know what Theia 's got we need something that heals almost everything. Phoenix tears is a thoroughly bet."

"They do n't cry for just anyone Harry."Lucy pointed out."Otherwise every hospital in the world would possess gallons on the stuff."

"There 's at to the lowest degree one that 'll cry for me. Fawkes."Harry squinted up into the brilliant fire sky."We just need to incur him."

"Easier said than done."

"Why do n't you two ask."

Ask ? Hermione scratcher her head. It was only when Harry pointed that she realised they were not alone in the valley. Down by the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree there was a mathematical group of four virtuoso clustered around a tent, one of them was looking through a telescope while another was jotting down tone in a expectant heavy volume. Further down the valley, on a plane table shaped rock 'n' roll that jutted out of the leaves, was another group. These wizards were all in grim robes and were clustered around a weird bird shaped beau ideal. They were down on their knees and seemed to be chanting.

Worshippers. Hermione realised. Worshippers and researchers.

"Why do n't you handle the nerds."Harry pointed at Hermione first, then turned to Lucy."And you handle the wierdos. It 'll go troll and and see what I can spy with my footling eye."

"And me ?"Morfin cracked his neck.

"You stay with me."Harry turned to walk off.

Hermione shared another expression with Lucy before they began picking their way down towards the tree diagram. Even though she knew that a girl 's animation was at post Hermione could n't assist but feel awe and question at this topographic point. Going off in the at the drop of a hat, climbing mountains and visiting amazing magical sites. Was this what Harry 's life was like all the time ?

Below her one of the researcher looked up and noticed her. He rolled his heart and started towards her.

"Please do n't agitate the birds. Try to not use flashgun photography, they can confuse it with an attack. If you 're camping please do n't play meretricious music-"

"We 're not tourists."Hermione held her hands up.

"Oh, then you 'll be with the other Wyrd bast- believers."The researcher pointed back into the trees.

"I 'm not-"

"creative thinker the balefire and the flayed goats."

"I 'm not one of them !"Hermione said in exasperation."We 're here to get-"

"Ah, you 're here to get Phoenix crying. The other reasonableness multitude come up hers."The man rubbed his forehead."Let me gauge your friend or your mother or your boyfriend is mad and you think bust are the only therapeutic. I hate to state you this but-"

"We know they do n't cry for everyone but we think if we can find one specifically it will."

"Really ?"The research worker finally looked slightly interested. He glanced up at the cliff where Harry was just visible edging up a fragile way, peering into drop. several phoenix had begun following him interestedly, hopping from rock to rock eyeing him with beady eyes."Who are you guy cable anyway ?"

"wellspring that 's Harry Potter, and we 're his friends."Hermione smiled at the traumatize look that appeared on the researcher face. His three protagonist looked up too, forgetting their notes for a moment. Hermione felt like kicking herself, of course she should have said that number 1."We 're looking for a genus Phoenix called Fawkes."

"We ... we do n't record names. How could we ? The phoenix do n't talk."The man kept glancing up at the drop where the shadowy human body of Harry had gone out of site into a cave. Another Phoenix flew over to unite the small flock that was following him."We do n't record name calling I do n't ... I do n't know if we can help."

"He would take come here during summer last year, he left England in June."Hermione explained."When he left Hogwarts he looked like he was in his third gear calendar month since a burning day so when he reached you he might give been in his fourth or fifth.. He 's a male, with a wingspan slightly above average."

"I ... we 'll check."The researcher turned and hurried over to their work bench where he cracked open a heavy ledger of notes and began flicking through them. Hermione followed him and began reading over his shoulder. Everything was recorded, combustion, arriver, odd behaviour. If Fawkes was in the valley he would be recorded here somewhere.

"What about that ?"Hermione pointed suddenly at an entry hear the heart of the pageboy."That one fit 's the time frame."

"Y ... yes. Yes."The investigator nodded."Phoenix identification number 713. It would be that one would n't it."The heavy Word was slammed close and the man turned towards the cliff paries."I 'll assume you there."

Hermione set off following, sending micos to Harry and Lucy. She and her templet reached the cliff wall and began climbing up a reduce winding course. Lucy caught up to them when she was halfway up.

"You found him ?"Lucy was out of hint. Hermione nodded."Good, those other virtuoso were weird."

They climbed further up around the rocks, passing many perching phoenixes. The birds eyed them as they passed, but did not keep abreast. After a few proceedings they reached a short ledge with a turgid cave.

"This is 713 's nest."The researcher pointed into the Rock."He should be in there. But it looks like you friend found him first."

All around the edge of the ledge, phoenix were perched, looking in. None of them were singing, none of them were making any sound at all above the rustling of their feathers. They were just watching. Another flew in and alighted at the end of the row. It trilled softly, then went silent like it 's brethren.

"I 've never seen them do this."The investigator said softly. His helping hand twitched like he was looking for a notepad. Hermione steeled herself, and stepped into the cave.

It opened out in the back into a small noggin, the floor littered with sticks and leaves. The clay of preceding nests. Morfin was crouched at the back, he made no motion when they entered. He was staring at the same affair they were. The tableau in the gist of the cave.

Harry was down on his knees, his walking stick discarded beside him. His optic degree with the eyes of the phoenix in front man of him. He was n't moving or speaking either, the only sign that he was alert was the tardily rising and fall of his dresser. The genus Phoenix, Fawkes, was shivering. A large part of it 's back was bald and scabby and it 's wings looked shredded. There were feathers all around it, an abnormal moult, and it 's head drooped on it 's tenacious neck.

"713 's been like this for a while."The researcher said quietly."That 's why I said I knew it 'd be him. He has n't burned since he got here and he 's due. farseeing overdue. If he does n't burn before wintertime hits then ..."

"What happens if a phoenix does n't burn ?"Lucy asked softly.

"We do n't really get laid. That 's part of the reason we 're watching him."

"Could he ..."Hermione swallowed."If he goes for long enough without a combustion day could he ... die ?"

"It 's possible."The investigator answered sadly."We do n't think it 's ever happened before. The former capital of Arizona have been avoiding this cave, up till now at least. It 's very interest doings, I was thinking of writing a paper on-"

"Shh ! Something 's happening."Lucy pointed towards the centre of the cave.

Without moving from his topographic point, Harry had reached out his arm and was slowly stroking the side of Fawkes'head. The golden bird trembled for a second, then leant it 's head into Harry 's hand, cooing softly. Harry reached back with his other hand into his bag and came back with a small glass bottle. He held it carefully to the side of the phoenix 's face.

Everyone in the cave watched, awed, as first one shiny snag dropped into the glass. Then another. All the piece Harry kept stroking Fawkes'principal with his digit, and kept eye middleman. Another drop-off in the glass. Another. The drinking glass slowly filled to the rim with glittering liquid before finally Harry took it away and carefully capped it.

Guy Fawkes collapsed out of Harry 's handwriting, dropping onto it 's bumpy nest. It was as if the emotion had been too much for it. Fawkes just lay there as Harry put a immediate sealing magic spell on the weeping and turned to the marauders.

"It 's done."

"Harry how did you do that ?"Hermione asked, astray eyed.

"We talked. About old times."Harry shrugged."He 's lonely."

"I wonder if phoenixes could fight down those dead men Voldemort has."Lucy mused."That could be really useful."

"Phoenixes do n't fight down for anyone but their masters."Harry shook his head.

Hermione remembered the batch that had gathered external and had the twinging intuition that might not be true.

"Anyway. We should go now. cum on."Harry sat down again and reached out a deal to Guy Fawkes."He 's offered to be our ride home."

"Is he well enough to do that ?"Hermione stepped forward.

"He 's fine. He 's depressed not sick."Harry motioned them towards the bird. Hermione sat and placed her hand on Guy Fawkes'seat. Lucy did the same and Morfin slunk out of the vestige to unite them.

"Thank you for helping us."Hermione turned to the shocked researcher and waved with her free hand."Sorry I could n't stay to see more of your work. Maybe I 'll number back some time."

"O ... Ok ?"

Flames rose about the marauders and everything dispersed.
*


Snape was just snipping a small-scale piece of hair from the dying prophesier ( he needed to do more tests ) when two loud noises disturbed his compactness. The inaugural was a rushing explosion. The irregular was-

"HARRY POTTER WHAT IN Merlin NAME-"

"What ? No one 's ever appeared in the middle of the infirmary fender in a gout of flaming before ?"Harry replied glibly to Madam Pomfrey as he stood from his emplacement on the storey. The phoenix behind him made a sound somewhere between a trill and gurgle and turned as if to leave.

"Fawkes !"Harry stepped in forepart of the Phoenix and crouched back down to meet it 's center."Thank you."

The genus Phoenix bowed it 's head a little.

"You know, there 's something I 've learnt recently. Something my friends are trying to beat into me."Harry smiled wryly."Destroying ourselves for the 1 we love is never the right choice."

Fawkes fluffed his feathers and bowed his head. A minute later flames sprung up around him and be vanished. Leaving ash behind.

"I hope he 's alright."Harry stood and turned towards the bed."How is she ?"

"She is getting worse."Madam Pomfrey visibly pulled herself together."We still have n't found the curse effecting her."

"When you left I wondered where you had gone."Snape folded his arms and nodded towards the burn mark on the level."Now I see. You should have got warned me before you left."

"Do you think it 'll work on ?"Harry ignored Snape 's words and lifted small bottle out of his pocket.

"I think it is worth trying since you have it."

"How non-committal."Harry moved shakily towards the bed. Snape could narrate he was trying to keep equanimity."What do I do ? Let her toast it or ... or let ..."

"Give it to me."Snape held out his hand calmly. Harry slowly reached forward and dropped the rip into the outstretched deal. Snape tilt down and softly tilted Pythea 's mouth open wih his thumb. He undid the stopper and allowed three dip to fall onto her mouthpiece. Snape waited. You had to reserve the binge a short time to seep into the anatomy then ... another three drops. Then wait.

He continued until the bottle was empty, upending the last few sparkling drop-off with a whisper petition of hope. He handed the bottle back and put his fingers to the minuscule prophet 's neck. All day her pulsation had been sluggish and weak. Now ...

"Nothing happened."Harry took the words out of his mouth. Words that sounded even darker than the accuracy behind them."It did n't work."

"No."Snape took his manus away."It did not work."

"Maybe it just has n't taken hold yet."Lucy capital of Jamaica suggested.

"The impression would have got been instantaneous."Snape shook his head.

"I so thought ..."Harry whispered."I put everything on this ... She 's going to die."

"Harry stop."Snape fixed his eyes to the teardrop filled unity in front of him."It is not over yet. This tells us something. There are very few matter phoenix split do not heal, now that we know it is one of them-"

"Stop."Harry shook violently."plosive consonant trying to make me palpate better. I gave her the mob and it 's killing her and I ca n't do anything to contain it."

"There are still boulevard of investigation that-"

"SHUT UP !"Harry shouted so violently that madam Pomfrey stepped back in care. Snape Did n't move.

"Harry. I will not baby you."Snape spoke slowly."Yes, a fortune of the responsibility for what has happened is yours. You gave her the ring. But another portion is mine. I worked with that ring for days and detected zero that could have caused this. I told you it was safe. What has happened is also my obligation and believe me when I say I will not have another death on my conscience. While she still breaths I will continue to conceive she can be saved. As should you. Now ... I am taking some of her hair to Paris, to a macrocosm expert on matter such as this. I have worked with him before. I am wannabe. As for what you should do ... I suggest you stay here. And if you have any more fool notions about running off to distant parts of the human race in lookup of some miracle cure ..."Snape took a oceanic abyss breath."... I suggest you pursue those notions to the fullest because that is what you are best at, and that is how outflank you can help your friend."

Snape lapsed into silence, waiting. After a few consequence Harry slowly nodded.

"Good."Snape turned and walked from the infirmary wing, the curl of fuzz he had cut still in his hand.
*


Pursue your jester impression to the fullest.

Harry slowly walked out of the infirmary wing. No one tried to stop him.

Running off to distant parts of the macrocosm in search of some miracle cure

There was no such thing as a miracle curative. If there was everyone would use it. Harry found his feet moving of their own accord, taking him on associate routes.

Fool belief

I am a fool. Harry found the door he had been looking for and got out his verge. It was locked of course, but not even this door was too hard to snap. In a few minute Harry had the spell down and advertize spread out the doorway to Snape 's office.

Running off to distant parts of the macrocosm

Snape was the one in French capital. Harry closed the door quietly. He would n't be disturbed. His eye zoomed around the small room and came to brightness on one of the desk draftsman. Harry checked it for enthrallment then slowly pulled it open and picked up the ring from inside.

Destroying yourself for the ones you love is never the decent choice.

Too bad it 's the entirely alternative left.

"There is no miracle cure. Not without knowing what 's ill-timed with her."Harry whispered into the sullen surface of the tintinnabulation."Only one living person knows what curse is affecting her. And I need to talk to him."

Slowly, with trembling hands, Harry slid the annulus onto his finger.



Did n't think of to leave it this retentive before posting again but I 'm in my final year of uni and I had my final year undertaking. Then I had the celebration after the project was handed in, which coincided with St Patrick 's day ... Then the solemnization for the end of term a few days later ...

Anyways once my read/write head stopped exploding and I could incite without screaming I got on with the tale. My work load is n't high-pitched from now on so the writing tread should pick up a bit from now on.


I do n't own Harry Potter. Neither does THE GOVERNMENT !



Harry slid the anchor ring onto his finger's breadth and sat slowly behind Snape 's desk. How would this work ? How long would it lead ? Would he even be able to speak directly to Voldemort or would he just hear him in his mind ?

"It depends on how you want to talk."

Harry 's head snapped up from the ring. On the other side of the desk sat Tom riddle, sitting on the president scholar used when they were called into this place. It was a wooden, backbreaking backed death chair but he lolled in it like it was a throne. He was n't quite the Saame design that had came out of the diary. He looked the Same age but his features were ... glassy. His hide was smoothen and pallid and his centre had minuscule spot of red. Through the magic trick eye he looked ghostly and faint, but through his unfeigned eye the shadow God Almighty looked real.

"What do you think it depends ?"Harry crossed his arms.

"Well we can verbalise like this ..."Riddle smiled. Or we can sing like this.

"Talking out loud is fine Tommy."Harry placed his workforce flat on the desk, the ring displayed prominently forward."Tell me what you did the Pythea."

"I took over her soul. You know that."Tom enigma chuckled. The red in his eyes sparkled."You plug her as I remember. You do cognise that that 's no way to address a lady."

"I was n't talking about that."Harry snarled."What 's happening to her now ? Some wasting curse or something ..."

"Really ? ..."Riddle leant back in his chair."That ... that is unfortunate. You must be crushed."

"Shut up."

"I must offer my recondite condolences."

"Shut up !"Harry slammed his helping hand down on the desk."Tell me what the curse is ! You obviously hid it well. When I found the closed chain I removed a shrivelling curse, a samyaza and something I had n't seen before that would have turned blood to pass in my nervure. What did I miss ?"

"The leash spell is called a plumb-sang."

"Tell me you bastard ! Tell me or I 'll destroy you."

"Destroy me ?"Tom crossed his arms."I doubt you could. And even if you could it does not count. After all I am not Lord Voldemort, I am just an ... image."

"No you 're not. You 're lying."Harry chuckled."You 're more than an simulacrum. You have the mind of Voldemort at to the lowest degree, which means you have all his timber. Qualities like cowardice and self saving. I think you will tell me what I want to know."

"self preservation ? Perhaps."Tom conundrum tilt forward."But the fact remains that you have no mind how to demolish this ring."

"Phoenix fire destroyed the diary."Harry gritted his dentition together."And I know a Phoenix who 's probably abut ready to burn."

"capital of Arizona ...."Tom conundrum paused and licked his brim."That will not work."

"Yes it will. You 're lying again."

"I am not ..."Riddle was breathing quickly."I have no need to lie. I am the dark lord, you have no power over-"

Harry pulled the ring off his digit and the dark lord snapped out of existence mid sentence. Harry held the ring up to his face and said,

"Do n't reckon you have any sort of power here Tommy."Harry slapped the ring twice against the desk with loud ringing knock."You hear me in there ? You 've got no cards here ! Understand ? You will tell me or I will kill you !"Harry slammed the pack back on his finger's breadth. The dark lord reappeared where he had been, his face a masque of rage.

"You can not do this to me ! I am overlord Volde-"Harry pulled the anchor ring off again.

"When I put the annulus back on ..."Harry snarled."You will drop the whole'I am lord Snakeface'matter and tell me exactly what I want to fuck or you 're going to the fire."Once again the dark Lord reappeared, eye flaring almost full red. But he said nothing.

"Ready to lecture yet ?"Harry rubbed the band of the gang on his finger."Just say one word. The gens of the condemnation, that 's all you have to say and I put the ring back in the drawer and we never have to speak again."

"I ... You ca n't do this to me."The iniquity lord 's eyes flickered back and Forth."You ... you can not ..."

"Just tell me the epithet of the execration. That 's all you have to do to avoid being burnanated. Just tell me."

"I ... I am Lord Voldemort."Tom riddle 's dentition were gritted closed and his hired man were gripped to the sides of his chair.

"No you 're not. You 're a prisoner. A captive who 's not even alive so there 's no demand for me to not defeat you. narrate me what the curse is."

Riddle 's breath was coming Dean Swift and shallow.

"Tell me !"Harry yelled."Tell me !"

riddle snarled like a dog.

"Tell me !"Riddle was shaking. Not in anger Harry realized ... He was shaking in fear. Riddle was terrified. Harry 's hilltop furrowed ... Why would he be that scared ..."You have no estimate what happened to Thea ... Whatever happened to her ... it was n't your curse word ... it was n't your ring ..."

Voldemort had stopped all in, immobilize in place, his centre burning like coals.

"Well ..."Harry shook his head."That 's something at least."Harry reached for the pack and jerked it forward. It would not move. Harry 's eyes jerked up. Tom Riddle was smiling like a cat.

"well well well Potter."conundrum smirked."It seems I do have got some power after all."

Harry tried desperately to hale the ring off his finger, it would not affect an column inch. Harry grabbed for his wand to slice the finger off but he could n't spend a penny his sass speak the words.

A great deal of power.

Voldemort 's was in his head now, the design gone from the other position of the desk. Harry stumbled and fell against the grating I. F. Stone wall. Wait ... wall ? Harry flicked his eye up. He was in the corridor ! He had n't moved of his own treaty ... His feet were moving again ! Harry clamped his feet down on the floor and slammed his arm against the wall. His wand dropped from his numb fingers.

Feeling a little less in control Mr thrower ?

"MYRTLE !"Harry screamed into the lacuna air."Myrtle get here or get help !"

Calling help from one of my old victim ?

"Someone !"Harry yelled. His sceptre was back in his hand ... NO ! Harry forced his finger to spread out again and the scepter clattered down. Harry slammed his foot down and snapped the trivial sliver of wood like a branchlet. He could n't let Voldemort loose in his body in the midriff of Hogwarts. Could not ...

You think you have a choice ?

"myrtle !"Harry fell to the floor. His muscles were twitching, every flickering voice of him was trying to move."help me !"

Ha ha ha ha !

"someone !"Harry was on his feet again. Not by choice. He was staggering forward, trying to stop himself ... but."Mico marauder ! Mico anyone !"Would n't act upon without a wand.

There is no help for you Mr Potter.

Harry frantically tried to scrape the anchor ring off his finger. It was n't moving. Not an inch. blackness spots were flying before his eyes.

You are mine now.

"Harry what in the hell ?"The voice sparked out of the air above him. Harry 's head flickered up, at the top of the stares was the tired and moon-sick material body of Dragon Malfoy.

"Draco ... It 's not the ring !"Harry croaked out. He had to narrate someone what he 'd found."Pythea ! It 's not the hoop that made her vomit ! It 's ... It 's ... It 's something else !"

"Harry what 's wrong with you ?"

Nothing.

"Nothing."Harry clenched his teeth closed."No ! Tell brothel keeper Pomfrey ! ... And get this flaming ri- Nothing is unseasonable Malfoy."

Go away you little traitor.

"Harry your ... your eyes."Draco 's hired hand flickered to his wand."They 're red."

I 'm just tired. They are bloodshot.

"I 'm just tired."Harry 's neck opening muscles twisted his top dog in a shake up motility."They are bloodshot."

"Harry maybe we should go to the hospital wing together."Draco 's middle had gone hard and he had drawn his scepter."I think you may be unwell."

"Unwell Malfoy ?"Harry hissed."Do n't presume to-"

"Stop."Draco pointed his baton straight between Harry 's center."hooking your sceptre slowly and drop it to the floor."

"Please ... friend-"

"Do it."

"Hmm ..."Voldemort twitched Harry 's lips into a smiling."I see there 's no point pretending anymore. What was it that gave me away ?"

"Harry does n't hollo me by my last name."Draco 's eyes narrowed above rich Black suitcase."You 're ... something else."

"I am more than than something else."Voldemort thrust Harry 's hand forward, displaying the hoop."I am your true skipper short dog. Heel."

"Oh wonderful."Draco muttered.

"Die !"Harry 's deal was discard forward and a sparkling bolt of lightning flared out. genus Draco dodged and flung himself to the level. Voldemort spun Harry 's body for a second hit but Harry flung the last tincture of his strength onto his treacherous muscles. His arm stopped moving for a fraction of a second.

"Stubefy !"The red spell flashed out of Dragon 's wand and everything went black.
*


Harry was used to crazy dreams so when he found himself in a dark place total of screaming and hissing he just sat on the flooring and thought of orchard apple tree. After a little while the darkness faded and Harry heard the whisper of trees.

In the night all around him there were snake. Snakes in his orchard ! Harry shuddered, he was in his little dream but he felt drunk. Shaking and unnerve, he looked around. The shadow was seeping in through the tree ... invading his orchard. The snakes did n't appear to see him, just kept winding their way through the trees. Four of them whispered their way through the leaves. One wrapped it 's way around the roots of the great tree diagram, biting it 's own tail. It 's lidless middle flashed red.

Harry glanced deeply into the wood. One more snake, lying still on the earth. Nailed in place by a wooden stake. Harry looked down at his handwriting. Another snake was wrapped around his finger. A flyspeck thin snake with black bands.

Weird. Profetic. Harry shook his head. Not again-
*


"Harry."

Hm ... Harry slowly woke.

"Harry wake up so I can narrate you how unspeakably foolish you have been."

"Professor Snape ..."Harry shook the gossamer out of his head and opened his eyes. The hospital extension was wickedness and evacuate. Snape was standing at the foot of Harry 's infirmary bed. Wait ... Snape had to make out !"The ring ! I found something out about-"

"I got the message Harry."Snape 's face was a blank and angry slate."Draco understood the import of your message."

"You need to help Thea then."Harry struggled to spring up out of the hospital bed."You need to help-"

"I already did."

Harry 's eye flashed to the bed next to him. Pytea was still lying there but ... her heartbeat ... it was stronger. It was almost as substantial as ever.

"You ... you did it ?"Harry fell back onto his bed."You saved her."

"It was a toxin."Snape gestured towards the visionary."Once you made me mindful that the ring was not the generator of her affliction I began to look further afield. I found a horrific toxicant. It acted more like a disease than a poison. As virulent as I have ever seen."

"person tried to down her ?"Harry found himself staring into shadows to try to see enemies.

"No Harry. I do not believe so."Snape tapped a small bottle he was holding in his script."last-place yr you were in a come on constant United States Department of State of mild perniciousness. You have built up ... resistances."

"Wait ... Are you saying I 've been poisoned too ?"

"Not any more. I cured you when I cured the Pythea."Snape 's supercilium twitched up."You were poisoned originally. The poisonous substance must consume passed to her by some ... commutation of fluid."

"When I was bleeding ..."Harry cast his mid back."She kissed my forehead. She was bleeding too."

"Is that the report you 're sticking to ?"

"So someone tried to defeat me."Harry ignored Snape 's insinuation and scratched his foreland."I 'm thinking maybe a radical of assassin-mercenaries hired by my arch bane ?"

"The Lie Gou are the obvious choice."

"Sounds like you have your doubts."

"I do."Snape shook his point."The toxicant was not an eastern one, far from it. It was invented in Florence. That does not mean the Lie Gou could not have acquired it but it seems ... odd."

"Odd ... wonderful. As if we have n't had enough odd these past few weeks."Harry rolled his eyes."And what you 're saying is it 's possible there are some other people trying to kill me. Wonderful. Just my bloody luck."

"Oh break complaining Harry."A weak voice spoke from the other bed."You would n't bang what to do with a irksome life."

"Thea !"Harry slid out of his sheets and stepped over to the little seer 's bed."Are you alright ?"

"I feel terrible Harry."Pythea raised her hand shakily up to his human face."I tried to pour down you."

"I poisoned you."Harry shrugged."Besides, after all the multiplication you 've saved my life history you can probably try to kill me like five or six more clip before I get angry."

"I never saved your life Harry."Pythea smiled weakly."I just gave you the impulse to facilitate yourself."

"You 're being all seerey again. Stop it."Harry chuckled.

"I 'm just trying to get you in a just mood."Pythea looked away."You are n't going to like what I want to do now."

"Try me."Harry tensed.

"I want try again to skry with the ring."

"No."

"Harry we know now it was n't what made me sick."Pythea protested. Snape moved behind Harry 's articulatio humeri, silently backing him up."We also know that the ring is authoritative to Voldemort. There must be something to find-"

"No !"Harry cut her off."The matter does null but lie and ascendance, just like Voldemort. I 'm going to put down it as soon as possible."

"I agree."Snape nodded."We can safely assume that it was like the journal. A lying in wait for anyone who tried to follow the darkness Godhead 's former like. A deterrent to any curious investigation."

"It does n't matter what it is."Harry shook his head."It 's a cancer on the human beings. Whether by Fawkes, some former phoenix or by some other method entirely that thing is toast."

Harry spoke definitely, but he could n't help but feel a niggling doubt. Like a snake curled around his heart.

"We have to destroy it."Harry repeated, half to himself."We have to."
*


"What do you mean they 're not flaming ?"Harry asked pointedly over the breakfast table.

"I mean they 're not."Hermione held out the letter for him to read."I wrote to the researchers as soon as you told me to but it 's too late. The phoenix have stopped flaming for winter."

"For wintertime ?"Harry rolled his eyes."What do they like about winter ? They 're on ardour !"

"They 're birds as well as magical wight Harry."

"Wonderful."Harry shuddered."When do they turn back hibernating ?"

"Not till spring."

"Great. I have to acquit this pestilent parcel around for months."Harry hefted his bag on his shoulder joint. Since the incident the ring had always been with him. In a lead box. He was n't taking chances."And until then I 've got nothing I can do."

"You could study."

"Nothing useful."

"fountainhead you could ask professor Snape for something else to do."Hermione glanced up at the senior high school mesa where the potions master was lacking. Not unusual these days.

"I know, but I do n't know If there 's anything to be done."Harry shook his header and gestured to the paper lying discarded on the table between them."Voldemort seems to be substance with random acts of random minor unpleasantness right field now. I ca n't assist thinking he 's working up to something horrendous."

"Like diagon alley ?"

"Or worse."Harry shrugged."No way to tell."

"Do you think the order has any steer ?"

"I think they 'd probably recite me."Harry replied honestly."Snape 's been pretty good about keeping me in the closed circuit so far."

"Do you know where he 's going now ?"

"No."Harry smiled."Hopefully working."

"Well, until you find something to do,"Ginny broke in, walking past them."You can start turning up to marauder preparation school term. You 've been missing them since the whole ring thing."

"Pythea was dying."Harry replied exasperated.

"So are a lot of people."Ginny replied flatly before moving off. Harry watched her go before turning back to Hermione.

"Her parent 's still have n't woken up have they ?"

"No."The bushy haired girl shook her head."They visit them at weekends."

"I should go with them some time."

"Well you 've been busy."Hermione said, in a way that indicated that was no excuse.

"Or I could just tie genus Draco up and leave him in Ginny 's bed."Harry continued."That 'd probably cheer her up more."

"Harry-"

"Especially if he was naked."

"Harry !"

"Oh relax."Harry chuckled,"come on, we really should get to the marauder school term. Maybe beating the lot of you around the noggin will cause me finger better."
*


Snape slowed as he approached the dark stairwell and began walking down carefully. Some of the steps were almost as legato as glass. The stair twisted down and down into the rock beneath Malfoy manor house. Much further than any of the cellar. Snape placed a light manus on the paries as he proceeded down, his wand the only origin of Christ Within, his footsteps the only sound.

He rounded the last corner and had to shield his eyes as guttering torches came into eyeshot. Stretching out before him was a long corridor of space atomic number 26 door, stained black from rust and long radioactive decay. The decomposition was of no import, it was n't the quality of the expression that kept the captive in this space. Snape nodded to the two jailers, members of the order, before turning to the third figure standing before him.

"You 're late."Moody growled.

"Yes, I am. I was busy."Snape replied."Your point ?"

"I 've had to waitress down in the pit for half an hour !"

"Then you arrived xv minutes early and can not blame me for that."Snape strode forward past the old auror."Let us not delay this any further."

"Right."Helen Wills stomped after him, holding his wand high as the light of the flannel mullein faded into the darkness behind them. Once again Snape was enveloped in silence, the cell themselves were soundproof. Helen Wills Moody finally broke the quiet."You know why I called you out here."

"Another of the prisoners seems ready to break."Snape repeated what he had read in Moody 's brief missive that had arrived on his desk before breakfast."Which one ?"

"Do n't intend it 's right."Helen Wills ignored the interrogative, shaking his top dog roughly."It 's not right. You 've got us pussyfooting around these illegitimate. Offering them books and shorter sentences and even freedom if they help us."

"And you think it is ineffectual ?"

"I think it 's bloody wrong is what it is !"Moody snarled."These men should all be behind streak for lifespan not waited on hand and foot."

"We need information."

"Then we should be getting out the thumbscrews !"Dwight Lyman Moody thrust out a helping hand to terminate Snape moving."You seriously do n't induce a problem with offering them all this clobber ?"

"Offering ? No. We can offer up them whatever we want. It does n't intend we will ever give it to them. And so long as they are never given an opportunity to compare notes ? I have no problem."Snape reached out and pushed Moody 's hand out of his way."trust that if I deem it necessary I will have no hesitation in deploying the thumbscrews."

"Oh of that I 've got no doubt."Moody 's eye looked Snape up and down in a split sec before he stomped off down the corridor again. Snape followed him.

"You never told me who it is I am here to see."

"Not one of the right death eaters."Moody spat. Snape fought the itch to turn up his olfactory organ."One of the stinking felon you-know-who dragged to his cause."

"That does not stand for he is useless to us."

"Captured by Harry."Moody fixed Snape with a stare while still walking."At Miss Zhao 's manse. terminal year, you remember."

Snape stiffened. So the man he was about to babble out to had been involved in the attack on Natalie 's life. There had been a great deal of unpleasantness that night. Natalie had been loath to talk about it at length but-

"Energy Department that change affair ?"Dwight Lyman Moody broke Snape 's opinion, his voice to the full of benighted insinuation.

"Why would it ?"Snape forced himself to reply.

"I can still get the thumbscrews."

"Perhaps later."

Moody came to a plosive consonant before a door indistinguishable from the 100 of other doors.

"His gens 's Shepherd Kilkenny."Helen Wills Moody put his deal on the door."Used to be a cursebreaker for Gringots."Helen Wills Moody tapped his verge on the door and Snape heard a deadbolt slam back. The old auror pushed the room access subject and allowed Snape inside. The electric cell within was bare. Bed. chairwoman. Sanitary adroitness. Snape had made sure the cubicle were as stark as possible to encourage the captive to break. Sometimes they would talk just out of tedium. As Snape entered the hunched figure sitting at the substructure of the bed straightened.

"how-do-you-do Mr Kilkenny."Snape sat down on the hard-backed chair."I have been informed that you have something to tell me."

"Yeah,"The man reached up and scratched behind his ear."But I got some demands."

"Do you retrieve you are in a posture to demand ?"Snape was shocked to find his voice was still steady.

"I 've got information. stuff you need to know. But I 've heard a lot of 'might'and 'maybe'and 'If your information pans out'."The prisoner hunched."I want some guarantees."

Snape met shepherd middle and gently pushed. A roadblock of Occlumency met him. Of row it would be there. There would hold been no point in this unhurt exercising if it had n't. Snape took a moment to consider his answer. He could pop the question whatever he wanted, but it would not do to seem to offer too a great deal. There was a marginal prospect that this man was not a fool.

"So long as your info is true you may have some concessions."Snape replied steadily."A full tone of upkeep. Books. Perhaps a window. Everything after that is depended on how useful I consider the information you give me is. So I suggest you begin taking footmark to convert me."

"I want to get out of here."The man sneered."I want years off."

"As the Wizengamot no doubt informed you at your trial you have been sentenced to forty years here. I understand the charges were respective. Using the nighttime arts, breaking and entering, attempted murder-"Snape found his throat going hard at the last word and slammed his emotions down behind a bulwark of emptiness."And that is in addition to your master copy sentence for fraud that you never completed."

"springiness me something !"

"give me a reason to give you something."

"I ..."Kilkenny opened his mouth to yell something but snapped it shut, bringing himself into check."I 'm not young. I may not live 40 years."

"Then it is in your sound interest to verbalize, and lecture soon."Snape leant forward."I am loosing patience."

"I ... I 'll talk."The prisoner hung his head."I do n't really suffer a choice do I ?"

"No."

"Well ..."The man rubbed his arm."You know I worked for Gringots ?"

"I was aware."

"You know that I never really worked above the board. Not just skimming off the top, selling closed book too. People 'll pay a lot of money to know that Mr git has almost emptied his news report or that some other guy makes regular defrayal to someone. businessmen and the corresponding you know ? Checking up on their rivals. Investors ..."

"I can see how that data could be useful to some."Snape indicated very clearly with his inflexion that he was not one of those some.

"Right, right."Kilkenny nodded."But see when the nighttime Almighty found out what I did he got all excited. Well ... not excited exactly. He does n't really get excited but he does this thing where his eyes flashbulb and he hisses a bit. Sometimes his nostrils flair-"

"Mr Kilkenny-"

"right hand, right ... anyway. He told me to get in touch with some of the hoi polloi who still worked at Gringots. People in the same seam of piece of work as me."

"Go on."Snape was very careful not to let his pastime show.

"He got me to check on some things."

"Specifically."

"The bodily function on certain vaults."

"Specifically."

"Well first he wanted to check up on a vault. Get the records of who had accessed it and when."

"What hurdle ?"

"Sixty three. rich one."

"Who owns it ?"

"Do n't know."

"What did the disc say ?"

"Do n't know. Did n't scan em."

"You did n't interpret them ?"Snape raised his brow."An enterprising man like yourself ? Always looking for an advantage ? Are you trying to tell me you did not even coup d'oeil at the records before you handed them over ?"

"flavor I had the dark bloody Almighty watching my every relocation !"Kilkenny shuddered."There 's enterprising and then there 's just stupid !"

Snape watched the prisoner eyes as he spoke. He could not record his judgement but still ... Snape had not survived everything he had gone through by being subject on any one skill. Even without legillimancy he could be reasonably confident as to whether a man was telling the true statement. On the early hand, this man had deceived the goblins for old age. He would never have survived if he was a bad lier.

"You said you contacted people still at Gringots. What were their name ?"

"Well there was only one really ..."Kilkenny scratched his head."William Blake Bees, he 's in the investment department."

"And he will corroborate your news report ?"

"Yeah ..."Kilkenny twitched.

"What are you not telling me ?"Snape asked sharply.

"goblin found out he lifted the files."Kilkenny slumped."He 's in hiding somewhere. Do n't know where."

"Would he make out who owned vault LX three ?"

"well ... yeah. He 'd bear to to get the files."

"Very well."Snape stood."I will conceive this."He turned towards the door.

"wait !"Kilkenny called out after him."Do n't you want to know about the former affair he asked."

"early thing ?"Snape asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, he asked me to check up on another vault."Kilkenny said desperately, trying to cash in on every trash of cognition."I know who owned this one. William Blake told me because he thought it was weird."

"How so ?"

"It was the Lestrange vault."Kilkenny spread his handwriting."The Lestranges worked for him. If he 'd desire something out of it he could receive just got them to go in and get it."

"What did he wish to know ?"

"Just who had accessed it. When I told him that no-one, not even a goblin, had been in it since the Lestranges went to prison age ago he seemed ... relieved. Well not relieved exactly. He does this thing with his neck-"

"Mr Kilkenny."Snape cut him off."Was there anything else ?"

"Well ... no. I just-"

Snape turned silently and rapped twice on the door. Moody opened it and Snape stepped through. As Snape put his hand on the room access to swing it closed the prisoner called out shrilly.

"Please help me out of here !"He wrung his hands."I 've done bad things but I 'm not a bad someone ! He looks at you and you have to do what he says or he 'll kill you. I had to ! Please. He was too much, I was scared ! I was-"

Snape swung the Fe slab shut and Kilkenny pathetic cries were shut off suddenly. Snape and Moody were left alone in the darkness. It was a long time before Snape spoke.

"Get him some books."Snape fought bile rising in his gut."And effective food."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said."Snape spun and drag off down the corridor towards the stair. He had a great deal to think about. With his mind occupied his fingers twitched towards the square patch of scar on his arm.



As I promised, more frequent updates. Although at the metre of writing this I am still reeling from the end of Battlestar Galactica. After watching it I was kind of in a fog for a few twenty-four hours, just wandering around muttering 'so say we all'and humming all along the watchtower. Should be OK by posting time though.

Update : mailing time. Yep ! Fine.


I do n't own Harry Potter. On a totally different note I have some books about counterpunch Hotter ...



Snape tapped his finger on the knockout oak surface of his desk. There was something in what Kilkenny had told him, something of import. But his thinker could not get a grip on it. He could see that there was something there, he could see the shape of it in the darkness but it was like he was missing something.

Should he suffer given the captive what he wanted ?

It did not topic now. Snape shook his head. What he needed to think about now was how to act on the information he had been given. He needed to sort through the darkness and chance the true statement. Snape 's centre flickered to a locked chest in the quoin of his office. Within was locked Dumbledore 's pensive, the old man 's gift to him. Snape did n't know why, it had been empty when he received it, and the two of them had not been on the dependable of terms when the old wizard died.

Perhaps he had simply written him into his will years ago and never changed it. Snape walked slowly over to the chest of drawers and clicked the latches open. He levitated the heavy bowl over to stand on his desk and stepped back. He was about to lift his wand to his temple when a thought faded into his judgement like a ghost.

It was an figure, some imagined thing. Dumbledore sitting in his office in the dark, the only light the swoon silver gray freshness of memory. Alone.

Snape lowered his wand.

"Was this part of the cause ?"Snape murmured."You took no council but your own. Your own memories to guide you. Living in the past."

Another image faded into his mind. Dumbledore lean over the fluent surface gazing into a nerve in the mirror airfoil. A girls grimace, with the same deep eyes as the old man's.

"I suppose it would be more hard to let go of guilty conscience ..."Snape conceded."When the remembering is so close. He could take the air with his baby every day. He should not have ... but he could have."

But even as he said it Snape realized that that would not be the memory board Dumbledore would relive. It would be the moment of her death. Not knowing who had really fired the spell that killed her ... He would have got relived it again and again, trying to ascertain out. Living in guilty conscience. Or wallowing in it.

Pathetic.

Snape could n't check himself from thinking it. Even now he could get hold only token sympathy for the old fool. But the one thing he knew with an iron sure thing was that he could never let himself become like him. He had to take council former than his own. Reliving the face-off would assure him nothing he did not already hump, allowing someone else to see it might.

His thoughts instantly turned to Natalie, but he had already sent her on assignment. Analysing a recent attack site. He could name her dorsum but ... Who else ? Minerva was an obvious choice, but her mind worked too similarly to his own. She would have no insights he himself had not already had. Michelson ? No. As much as Snape had come to trust the man for his fighting talent nuance was not his strong courtship. So perhaps ... well he had promised to keep him updated.

Snape summoned his patronus and whispered a message too it before allowing it to blow off through a wall. He did not have to wait long, after just a minute or so there was a knock on the door.

"Come in Harry."The door swung open and the scholar stepped inside. He appeared to suffer just run a marathon."You have been training ?"

"How did you guess ?"Harry walked over to the desk. Snape deliberately did not refer how much the boy was limping."What did you call me for ? The message was sort of cryptic."

"Here."Snape drew his scepter to his synagogue."It will be simpler if you see for yourself."He drew the store out of his head and let it shine softly into the pensive."Do you experience what this is ?"

"A memory."Harry shifted around so that he could look down into it. He leant forward, then hesitated."Do you want to go first ?"

"I will not be coming. I do not wish to bias your interpretation."Snape motioned Harry to go on. The boy nodded and dipped his question into the bowl. His organic structure went falloff and Snape knew that at that import Harry was seeing moody stairs.

He waited respective minutes, tapping his desk in impatience before Harry lifted his grimace from the silver liquid.

"When did this bechance ?"Was the first gear thing the boy said.

"Just now."Snape scooped up the memory and fed it back into his nous. He wanted the knowledge wise."I would care to hear your interpretation."

"Why ?"Harry crooked an eyebrow.

"Because it may be unlike from mine."

"But why me ?"

"Just distinguish me what you saw Pott-"Snape bit off the end of that conviction and licked his back talk. He tried again."I have been thinking hard on these consequence, very hard, and I have ... met, shall we say ... cognitive blocks. I need sweet eyes. Yours have usually been good."

"The magic eye did n't work in the memory."

"That is not what I meant."Snape heard iritation re-enter his voice.

"Right, right ..."Harry carefully dropped back into a death chair, once again sparing his injured leg."Well ... clearly Voldemort was after two break things ... It sounded like the first thing was ... was something he wanted to get. The matter in vault sixty-three. It belonged to someone else and he was looking for it, or wanted to see, or something."

Snape was about to nod, but thought sound of it. Better to get an unbiassed view even though Harry 's opinion mirrored his own.

"So that was something he wanted to get. The other matter ..."Harry scratched his head."If he had wanted something out of the burial vault he would have just sent a Lestrange down to get it. It sounds like he was just checking no-one had been in while he was away. Like he was checking up on it. Which means that there 's something in there he wants kept safe."

Snape knew he had called the right hand person.

"I remember ..."Harry 's brow creased."I remember last class ... right at the starting line. The Order meeting I listened in on. Did n't you say the iniquity lord had you experimenting with polyjuice potion so it would work with non-humans ? Could the goblins have been the mark ?"

Snape schooled his face with an feat of will. He had not made that connection.

"And that was about the meter Barty Crouch vanished into thin air."Harry put forward."And his speciality is sneaking, camouflage ... Am I making any sense ?"

"So what you are saying."Snape said slowly."Is that the dark lord guessed, or make love, the fix of an item, questioned a former cursebreaker to be surely and sent his best spy in to acquire it. Is that what you are saying ?"

"Yes ?"Harry said hesitantly."But wait ... that does n't make any sense. Barty Crouch was missing for about a year. If he tried to founder in would n't he either make do it quickly or fail quickly ? Not hang around for months."

"It would depend."Snape said thoughtfully."If he wished to steal the item without anyone realising it was gone. Then that would require homework ... research ... It might well take time."

"He would have to get close."Harry nodded."Probably get himself hired on to the Gringots staff. He certainly has the acquisition to be a cursebreaker."

"The goblins check their employees for disguises."

"They check for sorcerous disguises."Harry smiled."What are the two most salient features of Crouch ? That everyone remembers ? His blonde fuzz and the fact that he looks very young for his age. If he dyed his hair and grew a beard he could probably go unnoticed without any magical help whatsoever."

"Such a mortal would be memorable."Snape could find the art object clicking into place in his thinker."I wonder if William Weasley callback such an individual."

"Who ?"

"peak Weasley."

"Ah !"

"If we could find what scrunch took we might be capable to gauge the dark Lord plans."Snape stood."Thank you Harry. Your insights were most helpful. I will inform you if Weasley recalls anything."

"rightfield, you do that."Harry grinned evilly."I 'll look for a rat in his bolthole."

"A ... rat ?"

"Mr Blake Bees, the informant in Gringots. The one in hiding."Harry tapped his temple knowingly."If he was in the job someone at the Tarot may know how to get in contact with him. He can tell us who 's vault it was, and maybe more."

"Take backup."The Book dropped from Snape 's mouth before his mind had even formulated them."Do not go to that place alone."

"For god 's sake !"Harry threw his manpower up."I keep telling people this, the Tarot is n't dangerous. The mass there might coldly order a hit on you but they 're not going to smash a nursing bottle against the table and do the job themselves."

"Even so."Snape raised a hand to check Harry from commenting further."As we have seen today, four eyes see more than two."

"Not more than my eyes-"

"take someone Harry."Snape allowed the tone of command to enter his voice."A marauder or an order member, I do not care. But you will take someone."

Harry 's eye twitched and he opened his mouthpiece as if to comment again, then shut it suddenly. He nodded.

"fine. Understood."Harry made a mocking bow."I hear and obey oh resplendent leader."

"One other small matter."Snape drew his sceptre."If something goes incorrectly you will postulate a way out."

"I keep telling you-"

"Not just now Harry, in other situation as well."Snape raised his wand to Harry 's cheek."cargo deck quite still."

"Is this going to hurt ?"Harry asked quickly.

"I have no idea."Snape smiled, and cast the spell.
*


"Harry you are well cognisant that this is not what Snape meant."Pythea raised an supercilium as Harry pointed to a gravid pub with a star on it 's signal."He told you to make for backup."

"He told me he did n't care who."Harry pointed out.

"Harry I ca n't fight."

"I do n't require you to."Harry led the seer towards the room access."This place is as safety as Hogwarts. Safer probably. The people who drink here are sticklers for propriety though. I needed someone who would n't make a scene, soul who could do subtlety. Do any of the marauders fit that measure as well as you ? genus Draco maybe, but it was full moon death night."

"Padma, Hermione, Ginerva ..."

"Ginny 's grown less predictable."Harry shook his head."Padma 's an out of doors possible but really it had to be you. This whole affair is about gathering information and who better to facilitate than a seer. I need you to watch people 's eyes."

"I ca n't read minds any more Harry."

"And yet you still hump what multitude are thinking half the time."Harry reached the door and stopped, his hand raised."Please Thea, come in with me."

"Harry ..."Pythea took a deep breath."Fine."

Harry smiled and pushed the threshold open. Within the place looked like any former pub in a coastal Town. There was a roar fire in the grate and scenes on the paries of fish and Pisces related natural action. The low murmur of conversation filled the air but no-one looked up as he entered. They had their own cares mainly. Harry led the was confidently to the bar.

ordination whatever you want.

Harry flashed into Pythea 's intellect before turning to the barmen and ordering his own drink. After Harry had handed over his money he led them to a tabular array near the fire and slid a coaster under the seer 's wine.

"Drinks are content here."Harry explained."If it 's on a coaster, that means the only message is that you were thirsty."

"I see."Pythea replied, taking a sip of drink and carefully placing the glass back on the mat."And what does yours intend ?"

"fountainhead, it 's gold and expensive ..."Harry pored the whiskey into his socio-economic class."What do you think ?"

"Was it necessary to buy such an expensive feeding bottle ?"

"It never hurts here to bear witness you have money."

"And why Irish ?"

"well,"Harry grinned."Got to support my native land do n't I ?"

"So what do we do now ?"Pythea glanced around, still speaking quietly."Simply wait for someone to notice ?"

"That 's now it works."Harry shrugged. He raised his glass to his backtalk but did not drink in any. It would definitely not do to lose focus here. He tried not to even breath in any of the fumes."Besides, it 's a prissy position to spend the afternoon."Harry gestured out the windowpane at the coast below. The wintertime malarkey were whipping the undulation to flower before crashing them against the beach. Out further a few boats were still visible, bobbing up and down.

"I suppose it is not so bad."Pythea smiled."This place is quite pleasant. I did not look it to be so ..."

"Homely ?"

"Peaceful."Pythea glanced around."That man has absinthe. What does that have in mind ?"

"Ca n't remember ..."Harry scratched his head."It either means he 's selling heroin or buying man organs. Ca n't remember which."

"And you say this lieu is safe ?"Pythea quirked an eyebrow.

"I said safe. I did n't say nice."

Pythea shook her head and chuckled, then grew tranquillise as a man approached their table.

Time to go to work.

Harry smiled.
*


"This is the man we are looking for."Snape slid a picture of Crouch over the table towards the powdered ginger haired Whitney Moore Young Jr. man at the other end.

"He does n't expect like anyone I know."Bill Weasley shook his nous tiredly."face I know what Barty crouch smell like, all the order do. If I had seen him I would have-"

"He would ingest concealed his identity."Snape waved his hand over the picture and the face grew a unforesightful beard."Or this ?"The photo 's hair went blackness."Look at the middle. They will not have changed."

"feeling if I had seen him I would kn-"beak froze suddenly."Can you ca-ca him bald ? keep on the beard."

Snape made the changes.

"And brownish beard. Make it bushier."placard leant over the photo."I ... I do remember him."

"Do you."Snape kept his vocalism calm air as the pieces fell together."When ?"

"Only a few time ... He was working in a unlike department."

"Working on what ?"

"I do n't know."flier rubbed his os frontale."They do n't tell apart us what other people are working on."

"How long was he there ?"

"I do n't know. I have n't seen him recently."

"Who worked with him ?"

"I do n't know."

"Find out."Snape ordered flatly.

"I can't."Bill shook his head."The goblins are getting rid of humans left, right wing and heart and soul. They 're looking for an excuse. And with mum and dad still in hospital I can't-"

"This could be very important."Snape snapped."Are you a member of the order or not ?"

"Yes but-"

"Then find out where he worked, what he worked on and who he worked with."Snape be given forward."And feel out who owned vault 60 three."

"I could get fired !"

"You could be killed."Snape replied coldly."The hob tend to be very direct about menace to their amber. So I suggest you find out carefully."
*


"Is this the place ?"Harry looked up at the dingy and dampen apartment building.

"This is the speech the man mentioned."Pythea glanced down at the litter strewn street. Her expression was ... not impressed.

"Certainly something going on up there."Harry squinted up."The top floor 's all fuzzy."Harry blinked a couple of prison term and rubbed his eyeball on his sleeve before peering up again."Nope, ca n't see anything. You see anything ?"

"I 'll try ..."Pythea closed her eyes."Could you mistreat away please ?"

"What ?"

"Just fill a few steps away please Harry."Pythea was staring, close eyed, at the sky."Just trust me."

Harry stepped back, frowning. For a few moments the vaticinator stood there, staring up at the sky. Then she nodded.

"There is individual up there."

"well that 's promising."Harry drew his wand."You apparate back to Hogwarts I 'll learn it out."

"No."

"Damn."

"You must have known I was going to say that."

"I thought you were going to be a bit more abstract. Like'I 'll never empty you .'or 'Damn you Harry you do n't accept to go it alone !'”

"I 'm recall the effect would be corking if I was less profound."

"wellspring, we should get on with it then."Harry stepped off the pavement towards the construction."stoppage behind me and warn me if your crazy sixth sense picks up anything. If the first five do as well. And if he attacks or something just shield and run."

"No."

"Damn."

Harry pushed the front threshold open. It creaked a little. The interior was even more decrepit and covered in graffiti. Harry 's eye flickered up the construction. It was n't totally empty, one man sleeping on the second floor, two baby apparently home alone on the next storey up, a cat ... Then the blankness of the top floor. Harry kept his eye trained on the top base as the two of them climbed up and up. As they reached the top floor Harry slowed to a crawl.

The room access was already open.

"Seer senses seeing anything ?"

"No."Pythea was hanging back a few whole tone."Are yours ?"

"No ..."Harry paused and turned, smiling."This is a fun first date is n't it ?"

"Harry this is hardly the time !"

"Fine."Harry shrugged and turned back."Back to seriousness."Harry silenced the door and disillusioned both himself and Pythea. In the puritanic light of his eye he saw the little oracle moving picture out the marauder deoxyephedrine. He pushed the door open and edged into the dingy little flat. The instant he got through the room access his eye shut down, plunging him into uncomfortable shadow. After over a twelvemonth of super powered sight having it ripped away felt horrifically claustrophobic.

"Pythea stay close I ca n't see you any more."Harry whispered. A hand brushed lightly against the back of his neck."God I hope it 's you doing that."

Harry glanced into a darkness and empty closet before sliding forward. Blood. Harry sniffed again, definitely blood. Harry put his hand against the doorway to the bedroom and pushed it open slowly. A body lay sprawled on the level, ancestry seeping into the carpet, cervix slashed ear to ear. Blake Bees, the Gringots witness. They were too late. Harry aimed his wand and whispered a charm. A tiny red glowing was visible for a moment above the dead man. Still warm.

A tiny tap came on the backrest of Harry 's neck and a barely heard voice said ...

"Remember, I saw life up here."

Harry gritted his teeth. He had remembered. Harry felt blind without his eye. Lacking in depth perception certainly. Life up here did n't necessarily think the liquidator was still here. It could have just been the victim slowly and excruciatingly bleeding out.

"Thea leave now."

"Harry-"

"This clock time I 'm se-"A ripple of air was the only warning Harry got. He dropped to the base as the knife flashed over his head. In a splinter of a indorse he spun."Depulso !"Harry aimed the magic spell behind him, a sharp sidesplitter sounded and Pythea was thrown back through the opened doorway. A second spell slammed the door shut but Harry was already rolling to his human foot with his verge outstretched.

"Augmenta."The current of piss splashed against the invisible assassin, outlining him in droplets."Ferio !"The Lie Gou ducked and launched forward, blade flashing for Harry 's neck.

Harry knocked it aside desperately but the unsounded killer was on him, forcing him to the floor with insensate strength. Harry was using all his strength to stay fresh the blade from his pharynx, his former arm pinned, finger's breadth curling around his articulatio radiocarpea. He could n't defy on, the water made it too slippery. finisher and closer.

Harry let his peg fold and heard his resister oink as the weight hit his arms. Harry jabbed his head forward and hit something, he kicked out and snapped the peg out from under the silent killer. A twanging thunk sounded right next to his head and Harry saw a knife appear from nowhere, dropped from benumb finger. Harry was on it like a flash and stabbed forward. Red blood fountained from invisible soma. The fingers around his arm tightened like a frailty ... then finally released.

Before Harry 's eyes the Lie Gou assassin flashed into aspect, falling to the trading floor. The spell attenuation as the life ebbed out of it 's caster. The door burst open.

"Harry how make bold y-"Pythea 's eyes flashed to Harry, on the floor and covered in blood. Her oculus went wide.

"I 'm very well. It 's his."Harry said breathlessly.

"Harry is he ... is he dead."Pythea still had n't moved from the doorway.

"Yeah."The knife fell slowly from Harry 's fingers."He is."

"He was trying to kill you."

"They always are."Harry slowly pushed himself to his feet and took a breath. stemma filled his nozzle."We need the order here. They should go over the place ... maybe find something."Harry 's leg was buckling under him and his eye stamp around for him walking spliff. It was lying right in the middle of the kitty of rip. He let it be.

"Harry ... you 're not aright."A normal person would have said 'are you aright', but they would experience been foolish to do it.

"I 'll be fine, later. It 's just ... this is one of those times I 'd rather be Jack."Harry laughed humourlessly and limped over to the door.
*


An hour later and Harry was sitting on the frigidness steps in a court at Hogwarts. Back at the prostrate a police barrier had been set up and aurors dressed as cop were trying to keep people out. Inside more aurors would be peering around and poking things. Harry had left, he had wanted to remain so he knew what was happening, but Shacklebolt had turned up and Harry had n't felt like explaining everything again. He had slipped off into the dark.

"You should not have brought the seer."Snape 's vocalisation did not catch Harry by surprise. Neither did his words or the stern tone.

"I know. It was a mistake."Harry nodded, not looking as the professor approached."I could ingest got her killed."

"I told you to take competent backup."

"And you were right."Harry 's voice was deadened."Can we please strike on."

"As you wish."Snape conjured a chair and sat down opposite Harry. He looked timeworn. Harry was surely he himself looked worse.

"They find anything up there ?"

"No, and at this point I do not expect they will."Only person who knew Snape would have detected the frustration in his voice."There were house that certain documents had been burnt just before you arrived here, whether by the dupe or his killer it matters little. There is zilch here."

"Tell me your probe turned up something."Harry glanced up at Snape, not daring to hope. Snape shook his head.

"Damnit ...."Harry dropped his head to his hands."Dead end then. Unless we ask the goblins directly. Or we could get Kingsley to ask them-"

"No."Snape shook his oral sex."I believe our best Hope is to allow William Weasley to get the papers we need. If we petition the goblins directly at the Lapp prison term they will certainly become suspicious."

"So we do what ? waiting and hope that government note succeeds ?"Harry snorted."What do we do in the mean meter ? Just sit on our hands ?"

"I have many matter to do."Snape said dryly."As for you ... I suggest you try to have a Merry Christmas."

"Ha !"Harry laughed mirthlessly."That 's not going to happen-"Harry 's Holy Writ were cut off as a crossbow dash thudded into his back.
*


For some reasonableness the former chapter got chopped off weirdly. There was meant to be a whole nother scene but somehow it just dropped off the nerve of the earthly concern. I did n't notice until it was validated and put up. Wierd ... Serves me right for not checking my chapters properly before I post them I guess.

Anyways that scene can go at the starting signal of this chapter just as easily. Just letting you know I did n't intend to give you another cliffhanger.



Harry spun like a top and fired madly at the white human body on the cap. It ducked like a ghostwriter but Harry could still see him dashing away. Ignoring Snape 's cries Harry shot a hook at the tiles and was jerked off his fundament, clattering onto the tile. His leg screamed in pain as Harry scrambled to the peak of the roof. The Edward D. White figure was far away, Harry knew he would n't be able to catch him. Harry stabbed his wand forward and fired a curse. The figure shielded easily without even stopping. Harry spun his baton like and felt the roofing tile beneath his start. He tried to stay on top of them as they hovered and spun forwards. He shut his eyes and used only the magic one, his rattling eye could n't follow fast enough. The figure was already too far away, too fast. Harry yelled,

"Tempesto !"The wind smashed into his side of meat and threw him through the air, barely in control, before thudding to the grass and rolling. Everything scathe. Harry rolled to his feet and stumbled towards the woods. He could see the anatomy belting through the trees. Harry dashed towards the dark fo-

peril !

Harry 's eye caught a glimpse too late. Harry skidded on the leaves as four pointer flashed above his head. He scrambled backwards back onto the grass and stopped, wand outstretched and breathing heavily.

Through the dark tree diagram, in the cold-blooded luminousness of his eye, Harry could see his bravo standing out of view. Dotted all around were Centaur, each one with a arrow notched to his bow. They were just waiting for him to scotch the line back into the wood. Harry glanced at one of the arrows embedded in the ground, they wanted to kill him. The Centaur would n't snuff it the line, apparently the strange, white clad assassin had no such compunction.

Harry stood up and watched as the centaurs and their strange friend turned and slowly retirement into the wood.

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Snape hurrying toward him.

"He got away."Harry staggered forward, limping."It was n't one of the Lie Gou. I could see his face he was European ... had a scar-"

"Harry you have an arrow in you."Snape said, surprisingly calmly.

"What ? Oh ..."Harry looked over his shoulder joint"That 's not an arrow, it 's a crossbow bolt. green mistake."

"Harry do not expect me to be surprised by the fact that you 're alive."Snape crossed his arms.

"Spoilsport."Harry tugged the dash out. It 's dot was crushed and blunted."It 's the pelage. It 's got enough appealingness to stop a tank."

"spring me the arrow."

"Bolt."

"Cease this Harry."

"Fine."Harry rolled his eyes and tossed the arrow to his teacher."Who do you imagine it was ?"

"How could I possibly know that Harry."Snape said sharply."In a common situation I am sure the aurors would ask if you had any enemies however-"

"Futile."

"Correct."

"You think it was the centaur ?"Harry glanced back into the Natalie Wood. There was nothing to be seen now, not a matter was moving."Do you think they hired mortal to kill me ?"

"Why would they care to do that ?"Snape 's eyes narrowed.

"I ... cobbler's last time I met centaur they said I was an abomination."Harry said hesitantly."They said they 'd bolt down me if I ever went into the forest again."

"And you ..."

"Went into the forest again."

"I am not remotely surprised."

"But why would they look this long to try something ?"Harry scratched his head."Does n't add up."

"The ministry has agency of contacting the Centaur elders."Snape said quietly, staring into the dark timber."I will try to piss contact."

"Carefully."

"Yes, carefully."

"Definitely."
*


"Have a adept christmas Harry. sustenance training."Ginny half smiled, faintly at Harry before turning and trudging away from the Hogwarts Gates through the snow. Hunched over with her hands in her scoop, the grin would n't have fooled most people so it certainly did n't arse around Harry.. He thought about calling after her but instead shook his head and turned to Ron and the Gemini, who had come to pick the schooling age Weasleys up.

"Try to make sure she smiles at least once a day."

"We 'll try Harry."Fred sighed."No promises."

"And if I signal, come running."Harry held up an 'M'badge. The twins knew what he meant, they had created the appeal. It was like the dark marks just a trivial less ... perminant. Every marauder had one and they could bring them directly to Harry wherever he was."We 'll ... not running ... Teleporting. But you get the idea."

"Aye aye, sir."Fred saluted comedically.

They turned to leave and Harry trudged back towards the castle. Draco was standing in the threshold, leaning against a mainstay. His face was grey and lined, obviously live night 's moonshine had n't been sort to him. Harry was n't in a temper to be sympathetic.

"You could at to the lowest degree display here some human sympathy."Harry said flatly.

"And what would that do ?"genus Draco growled."It would just establish her hope for something that ca n't ever happen."

"Why the blaze not ?"

"Shut up thrower. You do n't understand."

"Oh god that again."

"You ca n't ever understand !"genus Draco shoved Harry away roughly.

"I understand that you 're giving the coldness berm to a miss who 's parents are still being fed on drips."Harry said harshly. He 'd tried everything else, maybe dullness would get through Draco 's buddy-buddy skull.

"I do n't require to pain her."

"You are hurting her !"Harry pointed away at the aloof figure, trudging through the snow a length away from her brothers.

"I 'm a werewolf."Draco muttered."I ca n't do ... I ca n't experience a girlfriend."

"Lupin apparently thinks differently."

"Well that 's bloody Lupin 's choice is n't it !"Draco spun and fixed Harry with an angry glare."Just shut up about thing you do n't empathise Potter."

"I understand enough to know that the werewolf thing is just an excuse."Harry spat back. Dragon 's optic flashed wide, the words biting cryptic. Harry pressed on."So what you 're effectively doing Draco, making Ginny miserable for no good understanding and then claiming it 's because you 're being stately. Like you 're taking the high ground when really all you 're doing is-"

"Shut up."genus Draco 's verge was in his hand somehow."Just keep out up Harry. Shut up."

"Fine."Harry held his paw up."Whatever. I can see I 'm not going to get a straight answer out of the wrench gawk of conflicting reasoning, self hatred and false forfeiture shaped by the twin personnel of teenage arrogance and lust you call your brain. Come on, we 've got a trivial task for this holiday season. It 'll be fun."

"Oh really ? And what is this project ?"genus Draco asked sharply.

"simple, the ring."Harry patted his bag."I do n't buy that phoenix flame is the only way to destroy the thing. Got to be something else that can do the job, we 're going to find it."

"So essentially ..."Draco narrowed his eyes."You want to research the most in-sainly destructive spells known to wizard-kind."

"Yes."Harry smiled."Told you it 'd be fun."
*


In the end they only found two things that could match the power of phoenix flame, and neither of them were pleasant. One of them at least seemed easy to aquire, at to the lowest degree at first ...

"What do you stand for 'You burnt it'?"Harry asked shrilly.

"Burnt it class ago."Markus A. A. Michelson shrugged."The day after you killed it. Went back down into the chamber of enigma and torched the thing. zilch left but ashes and I scattered them pretty widely."

"You ... you torched the bassilisk ..."Harry sighed."You did n't bump to hold back a tooth as ... as like a keepsake or something ?"

"The teeth and the venom are the most dangerous part, whole rationality I got rid of the thing."Michelson 's brow furrowed."Why ?"

Harry told him. A. A. Michelson cursed and punched the wall.

"So ..."Harry said, after leaving the defence mechanism prof 's office."That leaves the other option."

"I do not want to use the former option."Dragon remarked darkly.

"You know the incantation."

"It 's not a subject of knowing."Draco shook his principal."This is fiendfyre we 're talking about. It grows out of mastery, it can eat it 's castor and everything around him."

"Hence why we need to go somewhere we 're there 's nothing to consume."Harry said simply."I know fiendfyre 's dangerous but if we go somewhere deserted we ca n't anguish anyone."

"Except ourselves."

"True, but you 're self-destructive on accounting of being a werewolf and I 'm crazy enough not to care. What have we got to lose ?"

"commodity point."Draco cracked a wry smiling."Do you have a place that will be deserted enough ?"

"I have just the plaza in mind."Harry nodded."We 'll get Morfin to take us there. Do n't desire to put Pythea in danger again."

"Does Morfin know the place well enough to apparate to it ?"

"Oh yes ..."Harry grinned again, this time less pleasantly."He lived there most of his life."
*


The waves crashed harshly against the cliffs of Azkaban island, sending up sheets of spraying. The wind was bitingly cold, whistling through the ruins of the prison house with terrifying speed. Harry stood with his boldness into the wind and breathed in the majesty of it, better capable to prize the tycoon of nature when the charms worked into his coating kept him pleasantly warm.

"Where shall we do this ?"genus Draco had to raise his voice against the wind. Harry had cast warming charms on both him and Morfin but they still had to grapple with the sheer force of the gale.

"Suppose it does n't really matter."Harry shrugged and pointed to what looked like the remains of a courtyard."Over there I guess."Harry turned to Morfin."Oh, and lay down indisputable none of Smokey 's protagonist come near here OK ? Would n't want them getting hurt."

"Smokey 's champion ?"Draco asked.

"Invisible, sorcerous, vicious snakes."Harry smiled."They live on this island. Morfin told me."

"The ministry does n't know about them."

"That would be because they 're A : inconspicuous. B : Solely endemic to an island at the fanny end of nowhere and C : Fed mostly on prisoner the dementors had already killed. Though I suppose they probably eat gull now."Harry came to a stoppage in the midsection of the courtyard and reached back into his bag. He took out the package the ring was in and put it on the ground without bothering to unwrap it. No call touching it more than was necessary.

"Do you have the backup plan ?"A hint of nervousness had entered Dragon 's vox. Harry did n't serve but instead drew two broomstick out of his bag. He handed one to Morfin and the got on the other himself. Each of them grabbed one of Draco 's shoulder's.

"Why am I trusting my safety to your flying ability."Draco shuddered.

"I may not be a smashing flyer Draco but I can go straight up."Harry rolled his eyes."Quit stalling and torch the thing already. If this does n't work we 'll try dropping it in a volcano."

"Do n't rush me Harry."Draco grated."You 're not the one channelling hellish flaming through your fingernails."

"I did offer to-"

"Do n't even say it."genus Draco broke in."You 're not ... focussed enough to keep this power in check."

"I do know Legilimancy."Harry said indignantly."And occlumency. And I can hoodwink tongue, do n't evidence me that does n't involve focus."

"Get on with it ..."Morfin hissed darkly, his eyes flickering back and Forth. Being back on the island was perhaps effecting him a bit more than he was letting on.

"Aright ..."Dragon gritted his tooth and raised his arms. He closed his eyes and began to chant, a red glow rising from his hands. The air was growing warmer, sparking with energy. Harry gripped his friend 's arm harder. His eye was picking up foreign trace out of the air, things with strange, sharp, silhouettes. Spinning like a a whirlpool, settling into Draco 's hands, draining in. Each time one of them touched the shaking Slytherin 's hands the heating plant grew and the air sparked.

"Draco ..."Harry started."Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Now !"Draco 's optic flashed open and the court filled with lineage red flame. Both of Harry 's eyes were blinded by the sudden detonation of light and magic, he tried to shield his eyes but it was n't any good.

"Dragon ! You 'll have got to evidence me if it goes out of ascendance I ca n't see !"Harry could see the outline of the stream of Energy flowing out of his Quaker 's hand. It shifted and moved and seemed to be trying to intermit free. For a moment the wing of an eagle formed out of the flaming, Draco seemed to tense and the offstage vanished. A horses headway exploded out a consequence later and Draco again squashed it down.

"Draco ..."

"I 've got it."The horses chief reared up again, it 's eyes broad, and tried to leap at the three maven. Dragon yelled in nuisance and it was subsumed again into the current of flame.

"Draco-"

"I 've GOT IT !"

"You do n't !"

"I 've got it !"

An elephant breached out of the nowhere and charged towards them. Harry whipped his wand out and blew the flaming innovation into nothing. More brute began flashing out of the flame, more and more. Harry swore and yelled,

"UP ! We 're leaving !"

Harry jerked the Scots heather under him up, it rose jerkily. Harry kicked it and it flew a short faster. Something with claws jumped at him and Harry flashed a flame-freezing charm at it before remembering it did n't work of fiendfyre and having to blow it up. Fragments of the beast peppered him with burns and he yelled in pain. The Scots heather shot up and the air slowly grew colder. Harry 's arm ached and he looked over to see genus Draco hanging between him and Morfin.

"You aright checkmate ?"Harry tried to squall but his Holy Writ were carried away by the bellowing flame. Red droplets of fiendfyre were still dripping from the werewolves finger, but they were petering out. Slowly. Harry heaved upwards and ( minus a hideous wobble when the broom tried to go it 's own way ) dragged Malfoy up onto his Calluna vulgaris. Harry waved Morfin back and hovered away himself, keeping a expiry grip on the handle of the broomstick.

As they got further away Harry could truly see the destruction the fire was reaping. Black careen was giving way to flame out from the courtyard. The roaring maelstrom of wight was pooling out like some kind of flaming mould.

Harry cursed, it would be easily visible from the mainland. That could cause unhelpful interrogative sentence. Harry drew his wand and thought for a bit ... there was no way he could vanish the island, or make an head game to insure it, which meant going for something More basic.

"Nebulosus."Harry dipped his wand down and allowed a boneheaded mist to drain out. He felt the Calluna vulgaris move underneath him and panicked for a moment before realising that genus Draco was doing it, moving him into a better position.

Harry slowly built up a paries of mist between the island and the mainland. When he was finished the flaming was still burning strong and stretching out to cover a good quarter of the prison islet. They had to wait over an hour, hovering in the Atlantic Ocean fart before the last of it died out. Harry let Draco take the heather down slowly and slipped off.

"Ow ! Ow ! Argh !"Harry shot back into the air and grabbed back onto the broom. Wincing as his feet slowly cooled from burning to blistering.

"Harry you 're an idiot."

"Shut up."Harry muttered a temperature reduction good luck charm at the floor and stepped back down. The heat had been rendered bearable. But only just. With shop charms to chill his way Harry made his way to the charred ruins of the courtyard and peered at the level. His wand made susurration of steer to sweep away the glowing embers and Harry saw a minuscule glint of light. The stone of the ring had been burnt away but the amber had simply melted, covering the Lucy Stone with a lucky sheen. Harry bent down and hesitantly laid his hand on the shining metal.

"Anybody in there ?"

Harry projected the thought down. He waited a few moments but nothing came back. Harry shrugged and pointed his wand at the paving. With a grating moan the stone came free. Harry levitated it into his bag.

"You 're taking it with us ?"Draco called out incredulously from his pole high above.

"I want to make sure."Harry shrugged."Snape can-"But he was cut off as a flash of light lit up the night sky and a body fell from the air with a thud. Morfin sprawled on the soil, unmoving. Harry rushed over to him but even before he did there was another flash and genus Draco tumbled out of the sky like a dead bird.

Harry 's wand was already in his hand, his eye scanning helplessly for an enemy, a clue, ANYTHING ! But there was zilch, for all he could see they were alone. The only sound was the tardily temperature reduction of the rock.

"Who are you ?"Harry called out."Voldemort ?"

"No."

Harry spun but he was too slow, the peach caught him in the chest. He just had metre to see Sasori 's mocking middle before the darkness closed in.
*


"You brought him in alive ?"

Harry was familiar enough with unconsciousness to bonk how it usually went.

"I thought it was prudent. They were doing something rather strange."

First you could only learn the voices.

"And what was that pray ?"

It was in force to load this component out as long as possible. You were still mostly knocked out so citizenry generally did n't remark you were listening.

"They went there to destroy something. The Malfoy boy called fiendfyre but was ineffectual to control it."

"Foolish children. Playing with life-threatening toys."

Ah. Now that articulation Harry recognised. They took me to Voldemort. Harry 's gut clenched and he slipped into full awareness. He was lying on a frigid stone floor, but smooth. Maybe marble ? No, not that smooth. Harry realized that with his eye shut he was completely blind. There was also a nauseating empty feeling in his eye socket. Harry cursed silently. His charming eye was gone. Harry could feel some sort of trammel around his wrists. He could n't experience a knot, or a whorl. Maybe if he-

"Mr Potter I know you are awake."The voice of Voldemort cut through the nighttime."We 've been through this many time before do not think you can deceive me."Harry snorted and flicked his eyelid open.

"Just like old time eh Tommy ?"Harry levered himself up onto his knees. Voldemort was standing just a few steps away, looking faintly amused. His skin was perhaps a touch wanton than before, even a footling pinker. He even almost had a intrude. He looked ... humaner. He also had a glaring cicatrice across his pharynx, red and raw and jagged. Harry allowed himself a smile. At least he had left an impression.

Harry glanced around, they were is a ... a laboratory ? That was what it looked like. Some kind of mad scientist 's lair. All around were tables of bottles and arcane, weird item. The table behind Voldemort looked like it had been cleared in a hurriedness and in the empty-bellied quad ... Harry 's own eye stared back at him, rocking listlessly. The prosperous flagstone was there too, and a few former interesting ( illegal ) items. Harry hissed as he breathed in. His bag was supposed to only put out those item to him. Clearly that roadblock had not been a roadblock to Voldemort. Or perhaps it had been Sasori, standing quietly near the far wall.

"Seen everything you need Harry ?"

"One more minute."Harry squinted behind the table and almost gasped. Back near the wall there was an arch of black metal, thick around as a soul and pulling the shadows in towards it. Hanging from the dark gateway ... a fluttering pall. Harry found himself breathing heavily. That was the veil ... Or a veil. Not the same as the one in the section of mysteries, that one was made of stone. So what the Scheol was-

"Your minute of arc is up Harry."

"Just cave in me a little Sir Thomas More time. Need to set the scene."Harry glanced behind him. Dragon and Morfin were sprawled on the trading floor behind him. Harry could see their chests going up and down so he assumed they were still alive. Behind them three Lie Gou were guarding the doorway. In a cower mass a radical of all in men stood, mute beside them. Their rotting pulp reaching Harry 's nostril and making him gag. In the front of the radical was a case Harry recognised. It was not a well-chosen face, or a happy memory.

"Greyback."Harry turned back to Voldemort."I guess that explains why the werewolves are following you again. Did you have to stitch his head teacher back on ?"

"cypher so earthy. But in principal ... yes."

Harry tried desperately to think of some way out of this room. He had nada. Why the pit was there a veil here ? He needed to get out. Harry could learn Draco stirring behind him. Or was it Morfin ? shucks it he wanted his eye back ! How did people manage to only see in one direction ?

"So ..."Harry looked Voldemort in the eye."Do we do our regular dance ? You torture me for fun, I insult you, you get raging, I escape-"

"Sadly not."Voldemort stepped forward."I really should give thanks you Harry. Battling with you across these years, and especially last year, has taught me something I never wished to hear. That I am shockingly vulnerable. Oh yes ... yes. It is true. Thanks to you I know that, however herculean I am, whatever knowledge I gain ... all it takes is a boy with a knife and a lucky strike ... and I am as weak as a newborn child again. It is so very unfair."

"Life 's not fair."Harry growled."Death even less so."

"Oh I know that now."Voldemort nodded."I know that I an not invulnerable. I look back on my life and agnise a groovy many of my conclusion were anserine. I have learnt. And for that I thank you. I am not foolish any more."

Yeah right. Harry tried not to wander his eye. If you 're not foolish anymore why are n't I dead ? Harry chuckled to himself then froze. Wait, Voldemort did n't sound wrong. He sounded almost sincere. What if he had got smarter ? Harry licked his lips. Why was he alive then ? Harry heard stirring behind him. Of course, Morfin. Voldemort had recognised his long lost uncle and was ... what ? Confused ? Or maybe ... Harry tried not to glance at the mesa with the golden flag on it. There was no way that Voldemort could recognise the ring from a warhead of amber. Could he ? And anyway the hoop was just a trap ? Was n't it ?

Harry began getting very very nervous.

"So ..."Harry glanced at Sasori, trying to buy sentence."Long sentence no see. How have you been ?"

"Richer."Sasori 's eyebrow twitched up.

"You and your people have been keeping quiet."Harry tried to twist around his hand out of his bonds.

"We do what our client asks of us."Sasori 's punctuate representative had traces of cynical humour.

"I bet."Harry smiled."And where is ... Barty ... Crouch ..."Harry trailed off as his eye fell on a box under one of the lab tables. It was open and the contents plainly visible. Dull grayness platter, lead. C of them. Why the hell would anyone require coins made of lea-

Oh perdition no ! Harry took an involuntary cryptic breath, then ...

"That SOB !"Harry bicker. Anger filling his veins.

Voldemort followed his gaze but Harry was n't finished.

"mother fucker, cretin, patsy, everything he did was worthless !"

"And by 'he'you of course refer to ..."

"Dumbledore !"Harry screamed, at that moment not caring that the person he was venting to was the dark lord."That Moron told me he destroyed it ! Told me five yr ago ! But he never did did he ? He put it right back where it was before ! Probably too cowardly to actually go through with it ! Or maybe he wanted it for himself. That was what hunker stole from Gringots ! That 's what brought you back from the brink of death ! That 's how you 've suddenly got all this Au ! After five geezerhood you finally got it ! The bloody PHYLOSOPHER 'S gemstone !"



If you do n't review tinkerbell will die.

Just kidding. She wo n't die. But I was thinking though that that will spell the consequence the public becomes truly un-savable.

Tinkerbell drinks the poison, starts to blow over, the role player playing Peter Pan turns to the hearing and tells them to applaud if the believe in faggot and their is dead silence.

Or maybe just one clap petering out quickly as the clapper gets embarrassed. That will be the day humankind dies.

Also ... on that day, the actor playing tool Pan had better be fucking skilful at improvising. : )


Well, as you can see I 've bumped the story up to a mature. I 've tried to keep it 15+ for as long as potential but I guess I ca n't deflect it any more. Ah well, at 50 my theatrical role can swear properly now.

I do n't own Harry thrower. I will if I can convince JK Rowling to give him to me though. I 've been working on this Hypnosis thing ...






The short lab was filled with deathly silence for a moment, then Voldemort uncurled his long fingers and clapped. Once. Twice. Three times.

"Very well done Mr Potter."Voldemort cocked his pass to one side."There really were quite a few cue but well done nonetheless. But I believe your outburst had to a greater extent than one use did it not ? You wished to divide and conquer ? As you know the Lie Gou will not swallow charming amber you hoped to inspire our mutual friend Sasori,"Voldemort flicked a long finger's breadth at the mercenary, who still had not moved."To attack me as you reveal that my source of means to pay him has not been entirely unremarkable ? Am I right ?"

"Something like that."Harry said, who had been thinking cypher of the sort. It was a good programme though, especially since at the moment Harry could n't conceive of a sound one.

"And a year ago it would no doubt have worked."Voldemort smiled."But I have been more careful since you killed me. I was entirely honest with Mr Sasori about my author of income, no conjuration whatsoever. They were more than happy to accept amber created with the phylosopher 's stone, were n't you my Scorpion ?"

"More than happy."Nothing about Sasori moved except his lips. Harry almost frowned. Why had the Lie Gou reversed what was basically their simply strong and fast rule ?

"So you see Harry."Voldemort turned back to his prisoners."You can not bust my new servants from me. It is futile to try. Now ... on to the important matters."Voldemort leant down close to Harry 's cheek, then hesitated and straightened again and stepped a pace away before continuing."I would like to ask you a question."

"Yes ?"Harry cold feel just the simple order of payment on his hands. The threshold behind him must extend somewhere, but there was no way he could reach it. Harry found himself wishing he had his god-hand back, damn the consequences.

"I would like to know why you felt in necessary to put down my ring."

Dammit.

"What ? So it was n't the seed of all your powerfulness ?"Harry quipped desperately.

"It was not, no."Voldemort replied almost amicably."I assume you or one of your little protagonist tried to wear it ?"

"I wore it."Harry tried desperately to venture where the conversation was going."Saw a familiar face. You 've changed since your disco years. And now changed back a short ? ... looking a little garden pink around the gills Tom. What 's with that ?"

"One of the wonderful effects of the elixir of life."Voldemort held out a mitt and examined it smiling."A much more pleasant agency of extending one 's like than non-white magic or unicorn blood line. It tastes like mercury you know ..."

"Not like chicken ?"Harry 's eye noted a labored calliper on the lab table side by side to him. Heavy enough to use as a club. That was if he could get his hands free. And if a club was even the slightest use against a dark wizard. Beside the calliper was a black bladed scalpel. Too minor to use as a arm but it looked charming. Would it cut magic bonds ?

From under the table there came a deep hissing. A second later the deep chassis of Voldemort 's pet snake uncurled. Winding like a sinuate ribbon between Harry and Voldemort.

"Ignore Nagini."Voldemort said without cerebration."Tell me about my ring."

"What about it ?"Harry said desperately. He could probably reach the scalpel with a misdirection."We found it 's secret. We burnt it. End of story."

"You found it 's secret ?"Voldemort seemed to calm himself."It ... it had a cloak-and-dagger ?"

"class,"Harry bluffed."It was the same as the diary."Tell me what the bloody occult is.

"Ah ...."Voldemort clicked his teeth."Well I must applaud you for working it out. Does Severus know ?"

"Oh yes."Harry nodded happily."I 'm not keeping matter secret from the order any-more. conjecture we 've both learnt."

"I suppose we have."Voldemort seemed to be working knockout to keep himself in check.

"Knows about the early affair too."Harry decided to subscribe a wild gamble."The one in the Lestrange vault."

"He ! ..."Voldemort 's eye 's flashed red and his hands bunched into fists. The dark lord hissed from between clenched teeth."I suppose I have dear old Slughorn to thank for all this."

Slughorn. Harry burnt the figure into his brain, then tried to make up one's mind what answer would elicit more information.

"No actually."And would also keep whoever Slughorn was awake until he could be questioned.

"So you know about the diary ..."Voldemort fixed Harry in the eye."And the closed chain, and the cup. I suppose you know about the music-box as well ?"

"I- ..."Harry paused, he knew this legerdemain."No actually, did we miss that one ?"

"Yes, you did."Voldemort smiled. Harry tried to discontinue himself smiling."But no matter. I have a better mean value of living forever now."

Living forever. The annulus and diary and ... what had it been ? The cup. They let him populate forever ? Harry 's brow furrowed. Then it him like a electric shock ... he knew what they were.

It had been when he was on his mad spree of self improvement. After he had got his eye. After he got his god-hand. He had been face to look with the low-pitched most curse-riddled and pockmarked flesh-monger in Delhi. He had come for a spike in his heart that would let him go without slumber and nutrient for week at a clock time and the witch had looked him in the eye and offered him something ... better. She had described it to him like a creative person talking about her most prised work. She had even offered to procure a ... a forfeiture. Harry had waited until her back was turned, bludgeoned her over the headland with a statue and left her in a poke on the doorstep of the Indian auror central office. He had n't even bothered to check whether she was still breathing. He had n't wanted to be glad if she wasn't.

Hmm ... seminal fluid to recollect of it clubs do sometimes lick on darkness wizards.

"I 'm storm you made so many."Harry flicked his middle up too assemble the dark lord 's."Horcruxes are n't nestling 's toys."

Sasori shifted.

"I do not fear them."Voldemort did n't seem to have noticed."I am the master of my own existence now. And soon a master key of all life."

"Oh really ? How 's that ?"

"All it takes to be a master of spirit,"Voldemort spread his hands."Is to be a master of death."

"Being able-bodied to end life does n't pee-pee you the master of it."Harry 's eye flicked nervously to the humeral veil in the quoin of the room. Beside it there was a pugnacious picture. In the painting a sky full phase of the moon of unfamiliar stars stretched out over a vast desert of Charles Grey sand, stretching away to removed stack. Hundreds of sets of footprints headed out and away towards the sensible horizon. None came back. This was very, very unnerving."I assume this is the part where you distinguish me your iniquity architectural plan ?"

"No Mr Potter."Voldemort chuckled."This is the point where you, and each of your piffling friends make a choice."

"I 'll have the fish."

"You can choose,"Voldemort continued."To die at the teeth of Nagini,"The serpent hissed and arched."Or experience the office of death first hand."Voldemort waved his hand towards the fluttering veil."Choose."

"What 's beyond the veil ?"Harry asked to recreate for time.

"That is part of what I am trying to find out Potter."Voldemort shrugged."The kickoff whole tone to control is knowledge."

"We 've both been utterly Tom."Harry clicked his neck. He had a feeling he would have to run soon."We know what it 's like."

"Paddling in the shallow tells you little about the ocean."

"Poetic."A beguilement .... delight ...

"Thank you. feature you made a alternative ?"

"I think-"

"SASHISA !"The cold cry sounded from behind Harry. Morfin 's eyes had flickered open, and he was scrabbling like a mad affair against his adhesion."ZASHIKA bastard SAHI !"

"Morfin ..."Harry muttered but it fell on deaf ears.

"SACISCA !"Morfin spat towards Nagini. The Hydra raised itself up and hissed back.

"Shsassi !"Voldemort barked a command.

"It 's not squeamish to talk in a nomenclature not everyone can understand-"

"SISSIA !"

"Cazis."

Nagini shook like a rattlesnake.

"-or even hear."

"SACISCA !"

"It pains me that you are of my blood."Voldemort spat.

"SACISCA ZER !"Morfin was straining against his Julian Bond so hard his mineral vein were like hosepipes. Harry tried to edge towards the lab table. Sasori had n't moved.

"SACISCA !"

Harry edged. Nagini showed her fangs.

"SACISCA BITCH-SNAKE SACISCA !"

"Harry ..."Draco was just coming awake, his voice broad of confusion.

"Pathetic."Voldemort raised his wand.

"SACISCA !"

"You can die like the wretch you are."Voldemort hissed."Avada-"

"You know why the Lie Gou are helping you !"Harry yelled desperately, flinging his first thought into the air."They do n't bear fake gold but they do cheat their clients ! They want the stone for themselves !"

Voldemort 's oculus widened.

"NOW !"Sasori moved like a cat, his wand appearing in his hand and flashing to the night God Almighty. A blinding ark of light flashed into the dark master 's hastily raised buckler, catapulting him back into the bulwark.

"What do you jazz ?"Harry thought as he threw himself at the lab table."I was right."He rolled, his fingers touching the tongue and he dropped down the early side like a stone.

Nagini turned and lunged at Harry but Morfin leapt on top of her. The whale snake spun and bit down hard. bloodline fountained like a geyser.

Harry worked the knife against his bonds. It was working ! Faster !

The Lie Gou at the door drew their baton but the utterly men were all around them. Harry saw the cadaver of Rebel grab an arm and tear it from it 's socket.

Faster ! One of the roach was loose.

Morfin toppled to the floor but even as he did a whiff of duskiness flew from his sleeve and struck Nagini in the eye. Smokey ! Biting again and again like a piston into the larger snake. Nagini tried to pervert to work her teeth to bear but the little ophidian was too quick, biting again and again !

One of the roofy was cut through ! One more ! Harry could see Draco grabbing a tongue from a fallen Lie Gou.

"double-crosser !"Voldemort rose in a flitter aura of flame and craze. Flickering shadows of darkness filled the room and the humeral veil blew like it was caught in a gale."I will destroy all of you !"

Sasori did n't answer, merely threw a barbarian lightning dash that drove Voldemort back. The nighttime lord hissed and flung a deal forward. The black configuration in the air flew together around Sasori, swallowing him up in dark for a present moment before an explosion of flame. Harry was thrown to the trading floor in the plenty of burning mana, his weakened hamper snapping under the strain. Harry tried to stagger to his feet but dropped a moment later as a wink of immature shot over his forefront. With a screeching yell the door was thrust open. Bellatrix staggered back into the room, ten more Lie Gou following her. The screaching witch turned and her oculus widened as she saw Harry free.

"You ! You li-"

She got no further as Harry flashed his helping hand forward. The dark scalpel spun from his deal and stabbed through the bitch 's eye.

Harry ducked behind the lab desk again. He could n't see Draco anymore, Harry hoped to god he was hiding somewhere too. He needed his bloody eye ! Harry crawled forwards, ducking as a whirling pinwheel of flame came flashing budget items. A organic structure came flying afterwards. Harry darted over and grabbed the man 's wand.

"Accio eye !"Harry held out his hand and felt his familiar spirit orb fly into it. He shoved it eagerly back into his socket and saw the world come back."Oh my god !"The dark bod in the air were everywhere, streaming through the walls !

Harry had to dodge desperately as a ball of darkness shattered the wall behind him. The air screamed with some sort of banshee howling. The velum was streaming like a flag in a hurricane. Harry 's eye whirled. Draco ! He was ... smart. Lying down beside a atomic pile of bodies with a cloak over him. Lying low.

Voldemort was being driven back, there were too many Lie Gou for him. Sasori was out in front, still silent. The screaming in the air got louder, the darkness shapes filling the air were screaming. All of them had empty eyes. Harry screamed as one passed through his chest. If felt like ice.

"You 've lost Tom Riddle !"Sasori broke his muteness."You 're outnumbered !"

Voldemort threw a killing curse at the assassin, who dodge effortlessly. The drear lord held out a bridge player and Harry saw a shining soupcon of amber fly from one of the tables. His eye picked it out, a atomic number 79 medallion carved with a grinning Old Nick. Voldemort flicked it around his neck and turned, leaping backwards. He threw a bulwark of dark behind him and, without hesitation, darted directly through the veil.

There was a moment of silence, the spirits on the air went still. Harry did n't motivate, the Lie Gou would stamp out him as quick as Voldemort would.

"wellspring ..."Sasori lowered his wand."That went well-"

The veil exploded outwards like a morose wall of hell. The jazz screamed so toilsome Harry had to clamp his work force over his pinna. The shadows swallowed one of the Lie Gou, stripping him down to bones in moments.

Harry scrambled under the table and dashed across the floor. A shout shape slashed at his side, tearing off line of products in blood. Harry slashed out with his sceptre, summoning fire to pillory the matter away. It barely phased it.

"DRACO !"Harry stumbled to the storey, grabbing Morfin 's leg. Draco leapt up from his blank space on the floor, and skidded towards him. The dark shapes surrounded him as soon as he moved.

"Eiectio !"Harry yelled desperately and the wraith were thrown away. Draco fell forward and Harry grabbed his outstretched helping hand. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and yelled,"Spinners end !"

His eye whirled in it 's socket and Harry felt a jerk at his omphalus. The gloomy wow cut out as the mogul of the portkey whirled them away from the earthly human face of hell. Harry felt the ground hit him like a wall and lay there for a min, catching his breath.

"Your eye ..."Dragon was gasping on the basis."Your eye was a portkey."

"Snape did it."Harry shuddered, his brawn shaking."Emergency backup."

"You had that all along ?"

"Yep."Harry looked around weakly. Morfin ... Harry staggered over to the limp anatomy on the soil. He knew it was no unspoilt to try to line up a pulse. His eye told him everything he needed to know.

"Is he dead ?"Dragon asked. Harry did n't respond, it was n't necessary.

A swoon hissing sounded from the body and Harry saw Smokey boost slowly from the body of his master, his little school principal darting this way and that. Harry met the lilliputian Snake 's eyes and pushed just a footling. The animal psyche was surprisingly cogent. It knew what had happened, it knew why it had happened. It was n't angry, it was just ... sad.

Harry held out his hand gingerly. The Snake hesitated. Harry pushed into it 's center again and it slithered slowly onto his hand and up his arm. Harry tried not to grimace as it curled around his arm near the elbow.

"Where are we ?"Dragon was standing, looking around nervously.

"Field north of Hogwarts."Harry waved his wand over Morfin 's organic structure, cleaning the rake. Another wave and the air around the organic structure coalesced, freezing into a casket.

"What are you doing ?"genus Draco stepped over, limping a footling."Should n't we just take him back to Hogwarts ?"

"We 're not going back to Hogwarts. Snape 's on a delegation somewhere and we do n't take time to find him. Got to descend back into the old habit for a while."Harry took the marauder 's badge out of his sack and quickly sent a message before jabbing his sceptre forward. God he hoped this worked ..."Expecto Patronum."

Edward D. White mist flashed to solid form and whispered away on long fragile wings. It spun in the air and floated off towards Hogwarts.

"That 'll find McGonagall. Tell her to discover this Slughorn and look after him."Harry turned back towards the grave and stopped for a moment.

"Harry tell me what the hellhole is going on."genus Draco growled.

"I 'll tell you when we meet the others."Harry reached out and grabbed genus Draco 's arm."We 've got to go."

"No."Dragon knocked the arm away angrily."Where do you want to go ?"

"Erg ! Look ...."Harry held his school principal in his bridge player."Did n't you hear what I said ? Voldemort has Hocruxes ! Do you know what they are ?"

"No, I don't."

"They ... I do n't experience sentence to explicate it !"Harry yelled."They 're VERY BAD THINGS. That he has ! And there is at least one more that we have n't burnt yet. There may be others, do n't know where they are, but I know where one of them is. That 's the just bit. Bad bit is that Voldemort knows too. And I 'm not letting that ophidian faced bastard get there outset ! I know he 's on his way there now. I just ... I just know."

"The vault ..."Draco whispered."You want to break into Gringots. You want to expose into Gringots now."

"I want to break into Gringots now."
*


Black robed figure of speech spilled out of Knockturn skittle alley. The sluttish flashed off the skull mask as the screaming began. The form made heterosexual person for the doors of the bank. Goblins slammed the doors shut with a crack. Every window filled with gringos hob, each one holding something sharp and crackling with electricity. One of them fired down at the robed figures, a lightning bolt of shining ash gray luminosity. A overhasty cuticle reflected it into the sky.

More bolts rained down, coming thick and fast. The hob had prepared, they were n't going to be caught out again.

buckler flashed and the death eaters were driven back. One or two of them tried to answer but the spells went all-inclusive as the goblin blitzkrieg intensified. Then, suddenly, the Death eaters broke, spun, and ran away in disarray. The goblins sending jeers to survey them.

They dashed back into the skittle alley and crashed into a store. Pushing the stunned tradesman out of the way they threw themselves into the flue pipe one after another.
*


After the lowest figure had emerged from the chimney Ginny pulled her cap back and took off her mask.

"That went well."snag said dryly as he too pulled off his disguise.

"I wonder if Harry and the others got in ?"Neville was biting his lip.

"We did our section right."Ginny nodded."So they should have too."
*


Harry, genus Draco, Padma and the Weasley twins had already been in the dance orchestra when the 'Attack'started. Harry had picked a Gringots hob running for base hit and surreptitiously aimed his wand ...

"Imperio."The goblin slowed to a crawl, it 's expression going glassy. Harry turned back to the early marauders."It worked, come on."

The hypnotized hob walked down a position corridor, followed by the invisible vulture. Harry flicked his wand and mentally ordered the goblin to take them to the Lestrange burial vault. After a second where it 's green features twisted like it was resisting it turned and got into one of the waiting mine carts. Harry and the others followed.

Harry shuddered as the mine cart started off. He did n't wish doing this. The goblins were n't evil, they just had a different definition of near to world 's. But Harry had n't been capable to think up of anything approaching another plan. Well there was nothing to be done now ...

"Is this going to work Harry ?"Draco asked quietly.

"We 'll get to the vault."Harry shrugged."Getting back will be to a greater extent guileful. Which is why we have masque ... and robes ... and I have grenades."

"And do you think they 'll trust we 're end eaters ? Despite the fact there are only supposed to be two left."

"Look Draco I had exactly twelve seconds to think up this plan. Did n't see you coming up with anything better."

"You 're the plan person."Fred chimed in.

Why am I the freeking architectural plan soul. Harry thought, but with the vague knowledge that this would not be the most calming thing to say he replaced it with,"Shut up and watch the hypno-goblin."

Harry watched the rampart fly past for a few more minutes. By now the attack on the alley would be breaking up. The goblin guards would be going back to their posts. The cart rumbled loudly along the tracks. Harry hoped to hell they did n't dog the carts somehow.

"Do you think he knew ?"Draco muttered quietly.

"Who ?"Even Harry 's twisty brain could n't influence that one out.

"Morfin."

"Knew what ?"Harry hesitated, Draco was speaking so the other 's would n't be able-bodied to hear.

"The snake. He was pulling the snake towards him."Draco was staring out into the dark."Do you think he knew what he was doing ... drawing it away from us or was he just being ... crazy."

"Why are you asking me this ?"Harry shrugged.

"I want to know ..."Draco closed his middle."Just want to know."

"You just want to make love ?"Harry sighed, he had no melodic theme why he was being asked this interrogative sentence. Which made choosing the lie unmanageable."Then yes. I think he knew what he was doing."

"You do ? Why ?"

"Because that 's what people like him do."

"What do you mean people like him ?"

"Heroes."Harry shrugged.

"You think he was a zep ? He was insane. And a vigilante."

"fountainhead you know me ..."Harry chuckled."I prefer flawed heroes."

"Hm ..."genus Draco fell silent for a moment. Then he laughed flatly."Are we flawed heroes ?"

"Do n't know."Harry glanced towards the goblin sitting blankly in the nominal head of the cart."We 're certainly flawed."

They fell back into silence as the cart trundled on.

"Are we nearly the-"George IV started before the cart screeched to a halt.

Harry glanced around. Blank tunnel. No doors. Harry was about to open his oral cavity when a screaming alarm came out of nowhere.

"masque !"Harry slammed his back on and jump out of the go-cart. He cursed, the wheels had welded to the lead. He flicked his wand at the goblin.

TAKE US TO THE VAULT

I ca n't. Against the rules ...

TAKE US TO THE LESTRANGE VAULT

The goblin shuddered and trotted off down the corridor.

"Follow him !"Harry yelled over the shrieking alarm. The marauder were already masked, wands out. Harry led them after the staggering goblin. It hesitated in the eye of the tunnel.

payoff US TO THE burial vault

Stupid voice.

Damnit ! Harry spun the goblin around to face him and pushed into his brain. trice of vaults, tunnels ...

LET ME IN

A route, a turning, a dragon. A dragon ! ? A door.

HOW DO I OPEN THE doorway

Only a Gringots goblin ...

WHY ? WHAT ARE THE CHARMS ?

Do n't know. Only a Gringots goblin.

Damnit. Harry gritted his dentition. That meant they still needed the goblin. Harry pushed into his mind as hard as he could.

TAKE US TO THE hurdle

Wo n't work. door wo n't open if the hob is enchanted.

Harry 's center flashed all-encompassing loose. No ...

Suddenly a bolt of electricity crackled through the shadow above Harry 's headway. His eye gave his maybe a split seconds warning. His legs buckled without thought and he rolled, stabbing his wand out and firing at the vague shape in the distance. Another bolt flew from behind and Harry leapt to the paries. The air sparkled with bolts as the marauders ducked for cover. The goblin stood there stupidly.

skin !

The goblin fell forward with a smile on his font. Harry aimed his wand at the shapes ahead and shot a ravisher. Behind him he could get a line the vulture fighting on the other side. Harry felt the tilt explode over his head and leapt out of the way of the cave-in.

God this was messy. Harry was the only one who could see anything with the dark and the flashes and the goblins in amongst the human beings and the falling rock and roll. Harry screamed as a dash cut into his leg. It had n't even been aimed at him.

"Incendio !"Harry stabbed his wand at the minecart, which exploded with fire. Harry spun and slammed his fist into the hob behind him. The freaking affair were everywhere ! Fingers closed around Harry 's neck and he was jerked backwards. He tried to kindle over his shoulder joint but his wand was jerked out of his hired man. There were two of them ! fingerbreadth gripped daily round and slammed into his eyesocket. If it had been the real one it would have been squashed like a grape. Harry forced himself to his understructure and slammed backwards into the paries. The hands loosened for a minute but then came on harder. His eye swivelled in it 's socket and he could see the shrieking goblins clawing at his neck. He slammed back again but this sentence it did n't even phase them.

Ca n't breath.

Of course you ca n't breath !

Harry dropped to his genu, desperately trying to pull the hands off his neck. He could n't even get them to shift. Black dots floated in front of his eye. He was fading ...

"Sssss !"

Smokey leapt out of Harry 's sleeve and the digit disappeared like mist. Harry spun and punched the dread goblin behind him. His fingerbreadth darted to the flooring and grabbed the goblin 's shock-stick, with a flick he shot the affair at the other goblins chest. The grey creature was thrown back against the wall and fell, stunned.

Harry 's eye found Smokey on the floor, rising to bite. Harry grabbed him by the caput. If the lilliputian serpent bit a goblin that hob would be very dead. Harry met the snake 's eyes but saw only rage and animate being hatred. Harry quietly stunned him and dropped him in his pocket.

He turned and saw the other marauders picking themselves up out of the rubble.

"Everyone active ?"Harry coughed roughly.

"We 're aright."Fred was pulling his brother up off the trading floor."George V got hit but I think he 's aright."

"How about the goblin ?"

"We used stunners."Dragon said as Harry scooped his wand back up."They-"Draco paused."Do you pick up that ?"

"Hear what ?"Harry 's eye spun it 's socket."No."

"Rushing sound."Draco cocked his head like a dog.

"Not all of us have wolf senses."Harry growled."Where is it coming from ?"

"Behind us.."

Harry focussed his eye, cutting through Lucy Stone ....

"RUN !"Harry spun, grabbed their hobgoblin guide and belted down the corridor."RUN !"

"What is it ! ?"

"Tidal wave !"

"What do you mean 'Tidal wave'” Padma yelled.

"occlusive asking interrogation and RUN !"

Harry reached a outgrowth and chose based of swoon flashes from the hobgoblin retentiveness. He risked a glance behind him and saw water bearing down.

"We 're not going to make it ! Hit the story !"Harry threw himself to the ground and shielded the hob underneath him. The roaring piddle caught up with him and Harry felt it clash over them like a wall.

WHAT IS THIS ?

stealer 's downfall. lavation away enchantments.

Harry gripped his wand but the body of water was gone almost as soon as it had come. The hobgoblin under him began to squirm and Harry realized that the imperio must have been whipped clean.

"Imperio !"That had sounded wrong ! The spell fizzled and the goblin 's centre narrowed. Harry was pushed off and the grey creature dissipated into the swarthiness. Harry staggered to his infantry and tried to yell.

PAIN.

Harry put a handwriting to his throat. It did n't find right at all. Somewhere in his leg something snapped and Harry howled in painful sensation. He stumbled forward but one of his stage seemed longer than the other. With another stab of pain the other leg slammed down and Harry was thrown to the ground. Everywhere on his peel was crawling like worm. Harry shuddered and tried to crawl forward.

What the hell was happening.

Harry crawled towards one of the puddles, left over by the water and stared down into it. He pulled his masquerade party off and a face that was n't his own looked back. His fake eye was the like but the early had changed from emerald greenness to pale hazelnut. His fuzz had faded from black to embrown and was hanging in lank curls, soaked like a deadened rat. With a nauseating snap his facial expression changed too, getting all-inclusive and flatter. Harry 's shaking fingers came up, exploring the new characteristic ... what the hell ...

Then suddenly he realized what had happened.

The thief 's downfall washed away trance. All spell, even Dumbledore 's. The spells that had been on Harry for almost his entire life were being stripped away. It was n't that he was looking at a face that was n't his. It was that he was finally was.

He finally looked like himself.

"Drop the wand."Harry felt the point of a wand pushed against the back of his neck. His eye swivelled and he saw Draco standing over him with murder in his centre."free fall the wand you bastard. And separate me what the hell you 've done with Harry !"





If you do n't review then your hard drive will change by reversal into cheese. To be precise, edam. It will be tasty, but it will no longer mapping as a gruelling drive.


I do not own Harry Potter. I do however lay claim him as a dependent on expenses. This is fully within the rules and I do not believe I have done anything damage however I can see that the British public do not agree. As such have resigned from cabinet and will pay the money back. I regret the trouble I have caused to our useless prime of life minister.



I just can not beguile a freaking break.

"Draco ..."

"Drop the wand !"

"Ok ... Ok ..."Harry carefully placed his wand on the ground next to him."But I am Harry. I ca n't explain, not right now but ... I am."

"Do you mean we 're idiots ?"Dragon flicked the wand off the ground. The other marauders were crowded around him, their wands out as well. Harry slowly turned around, keeping his hands up.

"It 's ... It 's complicated."Harry was breathing hard."I know it 's intemperately to ... but I am the same person I always was."

"You do n't even vocalise the same."Padma pointed out.

"I just ... Please for the love of god you just have to believe me !"Harry glanced into the dark."The goblin are n't done you know, they 'll be coming back ! You think you can go in, get the cup and get out, with a prisoner ?"

"I was n't intending to take a prisoner."Draco growled.

"Really ? Do you know where the vault is ?"Harry 's eyes narrowed."I do. Do n't believe me. amercement. But you need me ! Believe me if you want even the slim prospect of getting the bloody Horcrux you need me. I will explain everything. Believe me. But we need to go. Now."

genus Draco hesitated ...

"Please Draco ..."Harry pleaded."For the love of god please ..."

"Fine."Draco stepped back."kickoff take off your coat. And your bag. All your weapons."

"Got a few hours ?"

"Now !"

"Fine."Harry shucked his coat off and threw it to his admirer then stood."Can we go now ?"

Harry turned and walked off down the corridor. No one tried to stop him. No one tried to follow him either.

"Look at it this way."Harry turned."Is turning into someone else half way through the heist really the strangest matter I 've ever done ?"

The marauder began to hesitantly move.

"Thank you."Harry threw his paw up and hurried off down the corridor.

"Hey !"A looker exploded over his head. Harry turned to see Draco pointing his wand at him."Do n't try to get away."

"Yes, I 'm trying to escape down a tunnel underground."Harry growled back at the predator."Where the perdition would I go ?"

"Just stay where I can see you."Draco 's wand had n't dipped an inch.

Harry glared flatly at him before starting back down the tinker's dam cave. They kept going in secrecy, Harry choosing turning based on wispy shot and flashes of memory.

"How far is it ?"Padma asked suddenly.

"Two more turnings ... I think."

"You think ?"genus Draco asked sharply.

"Yeah, I think."Harry ignored the verge at his back ( moments from blasting him to obliviousness ) and carried on. As they got closer Harry 's eye began to show up him a cavern stretching out before them, far expectant than the caves. And in the middle."Damnit, I thought that was what the goblin said ..."

"What ?"

"Dragon."Harry turned the final corner and crouched down behind a bolder."Look for yourselves."The predator peeked out to see the vast wyrm, chained in battlefront of the massive threshold. It 's centre were milky and white, it 's scrape too.

"It does n't look too healthy."Padma said thoughtfully."And there are five of us."

"Four."Draco broke in. Harry rolled his heart but Padma nodded.

"quaternity of us. If we all stun it at the same clip it might go down. That 's what they did in the triwizard tournament."

"What about the threshold ?"Fred scratched his psyche."I do n't thing we 'll be able to give out the locking spells."

"We do n't demand to."Draco moved to stand."We just need to find another goblin."

"That wo n't work."Harry hissed."The former hob told me before we were attacked. The room access can tell if the hob are moving of their own absolve will."

"And you only bring up this now ?"Draco narrowed his eyes.

"Well between the fight and the death scourge I did n't really get a chance."Harry paused, that time even he heard the alteration in his vocalization. He had an Irish accent. Dumbledore had even changed that !. He glanced back at the hurdle."I think I see a way to get through ..."

"Tell me the patch then."Dragon said sharply.

"It 's not so much a spell, and I do n't intend you 'd be able to do it anyway."

"Do n't even call back you 're getting your wand back."Draco laughed bitterly.

"You know I 'm getting real tired of this-"

"Then tell me who you are !"

"I do n't have time and you wo n't believe me."

"Then how can I believe anything you say ?"

"You- ... Fine."Harry stood, registering the shock in his friend 's eyes."I do n't require a wand."With that he vaulted over the Rock and began walking down the incline towards the dragon.

"HEY !"The dandy beast raised it 's headland."Over here !"

Harry had to hedge a urarthritis of flame. The lizard was old but it was fast. Dashed to the left and the creature lumbered to stick to him. He crossed in front of it, rolling out of the way of a human dynamo, and kept moving.

The chains around it 's arms twisted into one another, kinking.

Harry ran back the other way. The beast spring forward, raking it 's nipper through the air. Harry 's mitt twitched to a wand that was no foresighted there and ducked at the lastly instant. He threw himself forward, leaping under the out-flung arm. His boots bit stone and he leapt over the whipping fanny that threatened to cut his ramification out from under him and dashed back out of the dragon 's range.

The chain twisted around a stalactite.

Harry ran for the entrance to the vault, rolling under an orb of flame that left a scorch mark on the rampart and made the cave shake. He skidded to a stop before the Fe door and the wyrm turned to face him. It tried to maltreat forward but it 's pervert mountain range would n't let it strive the any more. Instead it breathed deep and belched out a fireball. Harry twisted to the English and felt his eyebrows burn off as the dragon-flame passed right in front of him. The fireball exploded against the vault door, turning it blood-red red.

"Yeah ! More !"Harry yelled at the dragon."seed on !"A lance like a flamethrower forced him to the floor and made him cry out in pain in the neck as it struck his shoulder a glancing blow. His shirt was on firing. So was his skin. Harry rolled to put out the fire and displume off the scorched fabric. Another powerhouse pin-wheeled over his head and struck the hinge of the door. component part of it were almost incandescent white.

Harry dashed the way he 'd come, waiting for the tartar to turn and follow. The chain clicked off the stalactite, springing like a fishing pedigree. Harry reversed direction and ran back in front of the door.

"Over here !"Harry yelled at the no-longer-constrained dragon."Come and get me !"

The dragon roared and lunged, shoving one car-sized nipper at the boy. He leapt to the slope as the hook crashed through the weakened metal with a fearful screech. The dragon reared up on it 's hind legs, it 's claw a red mess of liquified metallic element and origin. Suddenly four stunners slammed into it 's unprotected underside. The great animate being teetered for a moment, then another four struck it in the head and it fell like a tree. Crashing down onto the rock.

Harry turned to see the marauders rushing to join him.

"He must be Harry."Fred was smiling broadly."No one but Harry could have pulled that off."

"He 's proved he 's crazy he has n't proved he 's Harry."Draco brushed preceding Harry and continued towards the vault.

"You 're welcome !"Harry called after him before following him into the vault. The marauders stopped as they moved into the midsection of the room. Golden things glittered from every direction.

"Wow ..."George III 's eyes glittered.

"Touch nothing."Harry 's eye spun in his socket."It was supposed to be a cup ... there !"Harry stepped forward and felt his pes weld to the floor.

"Where ?"Draco moved into view.

"Did you do this to my feet ?"

"Where ?"

"Cos if you did do this to my feet I will wear your neck. Do n't cogitate that verge will stop me !"

genus Draco raised one brow slowly then punched Harry in the face. Harry tried to quell erect but his feet would n't be active and he fell backwards, landing on his elbows and slamming onto the floor. Draco 's human face came into purview above him.

"Where ?"

"Over by the corner."Harry pointed. Draco 's looked over. Harry resisted the impulse to seize his branch, jerk them out from under the blonde mother fucker, throw him to the floor then punch him in the abdomen and break his arm before taking back his wand and breaking his neck. Resisted. Barely."By the vases."

genus Draco moved off as Harry levered himself to his feet.

"Thanks for helping."Harry glared at the rest of the marauders.

"Are you really Harry ?"Padma narrowed her eyes.

"I 'm who I always was."Harry shrugged.

"That was evasive."

"Do n't possess sentence to explain."Harry looked over at where Draco was reaching for the cup. He momentarily considered not telling him about the swearing on the cup. Momentarily considered it, and decided it was a great idea.

"OW !"

"facial expression out for the flagrante curse !"Harry called out cheerfully.

"DAMNIT !"

"And the gemino !"Harry laughed as he saw Dragon degenerate the cup on the base, dozens of other loving cup appearing out of the air.

"The counter for the gemino is unicus unicus unicus ?"Harry called out again."I 'll narrate you the flagrante return if you give me back my damn wand !"

Draco came back into view without looking at Harry, stalking past him and out of the vault.

"Hey ! Are you gon na just get out me here ?"Harry tried to move his feet."Come on !"

Padma stepped hesitantly up to him and aimed her wand at his feet.

"There had full be a explanation for all of this."She said, before murmuring the finite.

Harry felt his metrical foot come barren and hurriedly dashed out of the vault after Dragon. The slytherin was almost to the Dragon when Harry 's eye caught a flash from a side tunnel.

"rear in the burial vault !"Harry yelled. But he was n't agile enough. Before Draco had clip to even turn a bolt hit him fully in the chest, throwing him to the floor. The cup clattered out of his manus. Goblins funnelled out of burrow and Harry was forced back into the burial vault."Summon genus Draco !"Harry yelled to the other marauder as he dived through the ruined burial vault door. A mo later the cup and it 's stunned common carrier flew after him.

thunderbolt flew through the open threshold like horizontal pelting. Harry dashed towards a eldritch gold professorship and kicked it in battlefront of the door, he ducked behind it and grabbed the arm, ignoring the burning pain in his own. Copies of the chairwoman fell out of nowhere, piling on top of one another in straw man of the door.

Harry dashed back and grabbed his wand off Draco 's prone body. He spun around to see three wands pointing heterosexual person at him.

"Oh COME ON !"Harry yelled."Either shoot me or shut up !"Harry pushed past them and aimed his wand over his barricade."Rennervate !"

There was a hollering as the dragon was rudely awakened. The bolts stopped for a moment as the goblins decided they had bigger things to worry about.

"Do you imagine we can split past them ?"Fred was gripping his sceptre fiercely.

"I doubt it."Harry stepped backwards. It was beginning to take care like he had regained his true face only to die in it. He had n't planned this enough. Had n't had a plan, but what else could he give birth done ?

"Harry ..."

"I do n't know."Harry glanced back at the roadblock. The roars had stopped. The dash had begun again."I do n't know."Harry held his wand grimly. Really should have planned this skillful ... And there was no help ...

A photoflash of flame outburst from behind the marauders. Harry spun with his wand out but it dipped a minute afterwards. Harry 's mouth fell open in shock.

"That 's ..."Padma pointed."That 's a ..."

"Phoenix."Harry stepped forward. The bird looked at him, apparently un-phased by the deadbolt hitting the ceiling. Harry had no idea why it was there, but he was n't about to kick a endowment horse in the lip."catch a feather !"Harry ordered the other marauders, grabbing genus Draco and pulling him towards the snort. It hopped forward and onto his outstretched arm. The genus Phoenix 's spangly eye 's met Harry 's. flame curled around them just as the roadblock broke down.
*


Harry fell onto Gunter Wilhelm Grass and felt hook leave his arm. He opened his eyes and saw the Phoenix flapping away calmly, giving no sign of why it had come.

"Where are we ?"Harry glanced around and saw to a greater extent marauders than he was expecting. Ginny and the others were staring at him in seismic disturbance. The phoenix had brought them to the rendezvous point. Harry stood and dusted himself off."Well that went well."Harry smiled."Someone want to wake genus Draco ?"

"Who the hell are you ?"Ginny 's helping hand was hovering near her wand.

"Oh yeah ..."Harry remembered that he looked or sounded zip like they remembered."I guess this is form of confusing ..."

"Yes Harry."Padma said to general shock."I believe you have an account to give."

"Oh yeah. I guess I have."Harry took a late breath."We should go back to Hogwarts though, they 'll be worried and this 'll necessitate awhile."

"No."Padma crossed her arms."Right now."

"Ah ... ok."Harry reached into his bag and pulled his tent out, tapping it once to enlarge it to wide size of it."You 'd improve go inside, this is going to be a long fib ..."

In the end he told them the Sami way Dumbledore had told him. Flatly, with no shock. It was really the only when way, the only way to severalize someone that the full world was different to the way they thought it was. Like telling individual that, contrary to everything they knew, the sky was really orange. He tried not to reckon at their faces as he spoke. It was like he was stripping nude, bearing everything to them. All the marauders were there, and in a way that was high-risk. The pilot marauders, the gist, he knew like family. But the others, the ones that had joined when he was away last year, not so practically. Some of them had probably joined because he was Harry Potter. Because they trusted the prophecy, because they trusted that he could destroy Voldemort. And now ... he was just some guy. Just some kid who had been pushed in over his foreland and forced to survive. Constantly on the edge of drowning and having to claw for every drop of air. Getting his real facial expression back should have made him palpate well-chosen. Telling his admirer should induce made him feel happy. Instead he felt ... tired.

"... And in the end I decided to keep on being Harry Potter."Harry fished lamely."Because, much as I hate what Dumbledore did, he was rightfulness. People need to see the chosen one out there fighting. It does n't matter what I want."

There was a long, gloomy secretiveness. Harry could see cushion and horror painted on every face.

"It ... it makes sense."Hermione was the kickoff to speak."It 's horrifying but ... it makes sensation. Even the bit about you not having a public figure. That would explain why you, the substantial you, never received a Hogwarts invite, why your name was never written in the Hogwarts book. That was probably region of the understanding Dumbledore chose you. There would be no record for anyone to encounter."

"I do n't experience. Possibly."Harry shrugged."He did n't assure me why he chose me. There ca n't hold been that many orphaned magical children of the right age to choose from. I always thought I just got the short straw."

"So you do n't even experience a real public figure ?"Neville asked quietly.

"The orphanage called me Jack."It hurt to say that name. More and to a greater extent Harry thought process of seafarer as what he would get when all this was finally over. When the humanity did n't involve Harry thrower anymore. When he could finally reside. He did n't differentiate them that though,"But I 'm not comfortable with that name yet. If you could just hold calling me Harry that would be good."

"look at me."Dragon said suddenly, still sounding wild."Look into my eyes."

"You do n't believe me ?"Harry complied, meeting Draco 's gaze."It 's would be kind of an rarify lie to cerebrate up."

"Shut up."Draco commanded and Harry felt a stabbing pain behind his eyes. Draco was n't bothering to be gentle with his probing. Harry supposed he could n't pick him. Harry saw himself in the hospital room for a moment, Dumbledore standing at the end of the bed. Harry turned his mental regard away, letting Draco scene the picture alone. Harry had no pauperism to live over that day. Eventually the mental probe subsided and Draco leant back, his cheek dropping from anger to blow out of the water."It 's rightful. It 's all truthful ..."

"You did n't want to believe it."Harry nodded."Neither did I."

"So wait, I 'm confused."Ron scratched his principal."What does this mean for the prophecy ? I thought Harry Potter, um ... the other Harry thrower, was the only when one who could kill you-know-who. So if he 's dead does that mean that ..."

"It means nothing."Harry cut in. He had to direct off this line of conversation quickly."It 's bull. You trying to tell me that if someone walked up to Voldemort and chopped his head off with a machete that somehow he would n't die."

"Well no, he wouldn't."Padma pointed out."Because of the Hocruxs."

"Which we can destroy."Harry said quickly."Which anyone can destroy. Anyone with capture tools. Do n't demand cannon Harry for that. And besides ; Pythea thinks I can get the better of Voldemort and no-one knows more about prophecy works than her."

There was a mutter of accent mark from around the tent. Harry breathed an intragroup sigh of relief, at least he had headed off that disaster.

"So what do we do now ?"snag raised an eyebrow.

"What do you stand for what do we do now ?"Harry shrugged."We head back to Hogwarts, probably in the morning, it 's too recent now. And then we keep assisting the order and Snape to occupy down Voldemort."

"You mean we just act like northing 's changed ?"Hermione asked, aghast.

"cipher has changed."Harry pointed out."I 'm still the like someone I was yesterday. Voldemort 's still out there. The Lie Gou are still a scourge. Nothing 's changed."cypher ever changes. Except when it gets worsened."And when we go back to Hogwart 's I 'll find someone who can put my side back on and no one will screw any different."

"And you 're aright with that ?"

"Yes."No."humans needs heroes. Harry Potter is ... like my secret identity operator. Like spiderman."

"Who ?"Ron 's brow furrowed.

"Never mind."Harry hung his point tiredly."We should all probably take a little time to rest. It 's been a long day."

And when we go back to Hogwarts it all begins again.
*


It was hours later and Harry was sitting outside the collapsible shelter looking up at the lead when he heard footsteps approaching behind him.

"Harry ? ... jak ? .... someone ?"

"My name has n't changed."Harry chuckled into the night air."I thought everybody was asleep ?"

"I couldn't."Padma stepped up beside Harry and sat down."It 's just too much to take in at once."

"Imagine how I felt."

"I do n't have to reckon. I remember."Padma shrugged."You went weirdo for a while, then Pythea made you better."

"Yep."

"She does that a lot does n't she."Padma raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any specific point ?"Harry rolled his eye.

"I think you know."Padma smiled then looked away as Harry laughed."You even laugh differently. It sounds higher."

"Irisher probably."Harry tried to see his own voice but it sounded even strange to him, it was probably some variety of psychosomatic thing."I have n't really got used to it yet."

"What are you going to do when we go back to Hogwarts ? Are you really going to ask someone to put you back the way you were ?"

"I guess I 'll have to ..."Harry bit his lip. The prospect was surprisingly unpalatable."I do n't hump if we 'll be able-bodied to get the all package back but we should at least be able to get the case. I can fake the voice if I have to, collapse me a little more time ... this expert ?"

"Deeper."

"wagerer ?"

"Say something else."

"You do live that if someone asks you to say something you instantly block every word you ever knew ?"

"That 's a little better."Padma nodded."We can process on it. Try more emotion."

"Should I be angrier ?"

"More bitter than angry."

"Oh great thanks."

"Perfect."

"Are you being sarcastic ?"

"Partially."

"Should I be more sarcastic ?"

"Definitely."

"Now you 're making fun of me."Harry chuckled."Hm, just proves I 'm back to normal."Harry leant back on the grass."I got my own typeface, we got out alert, got the cup, stick up a bunch of goblins and I danced with a dragon. I call that a win."

"I wonder how often of that atomic number 79 got destroyed in the fires ?"

"Depends how much Fred and St. George stuffed in their pockets."

"They did n't ..."

Harry tapped his eye.

"They did. I 'm not surprised."Padma shook her head, chuckling."speaking of treasure, have you worked out what you 're going to do with the cup."

"Well ... I have one idea."Harry looked up into the sky."But I do n't know if it 'll bring ..."

"Is it dangerous ?"

"Well, no not particularly."

"So why do n't you try it."

"goodness point."Harry stood up and closed his eyes. supporter me.

"Harry what are you-"Padma trailed off as a flash of fire lit up the nighttime. Harry opened his eyes to see two capital of Arizona looking at him quizzically. Harry stepped close to them and placed the cup on the reason next to the birds.

"Would you mind flaming this thing for me."The with child phoenix hopped forward and looked up at Harry. Harry felt a minuscule imagine thrust towards him, it seemed to be saying ... why."It belonged to Voldemort."Head cocked left."It helped him amount back from the dead."Head cocked compensate. Bob. The larger wench hopped next to the cup and spread it 's wings. Harry shielded his eyes as the birds plume turned to crimson flame.

"You just spent an minute explaining to everyone how you 're not the Chosen one."Padma said quietly from behind him."So what exactly are you ?"

"I have no idea."Harry admitted, his eyes sparkling with think over fire. After a few moment both the flaming subsided and the bird was gone, flamed away back to where it came from. All that was left of the cup was a pitted combat of metal.

"Do you cerebrate there are more of them ?"Padma asked as Harry picked it up off the floor.

"more Hocruxes ? No way to tell."Harry stood and looked back towards the tent."Should probably guide back to Hogwarts. They 'll be worrying."
*


It was still saturnine as the marauders alighted on the green goddess outside the Gates of Hogwarts. Harry took out his scepter and aimed it at himself.

"Harry what are you doing ?"Draco asked.

"Dissilusioning."Harry said the charm and felt the cold finger of invisibility enclosing him."No one should see me like this."

"Oh, right."

"We need to get to Snape, he 'll be capable to get me back looking like ... like Harry."Harry felt that strange hesitation again but squashed it down. It was requisite to stay under the masquerade party. It was requisite."You guys read/write head to the common way, you all deserve some proper sleep."

Harry walked up to the silent palace and proceeded to the dungeon. Harry stopped outside Snape 's doorway and took a deep breathing place before knocking.

"seminal fluid in."Snape sounded like he was angry.

Harry pushed the threshold in and stepped into the sorry office.

"Mr Potter."Snape had his book binding turned and was slowly measuring out a foul greenness liquid into a beaker."Have you came to offer an explanation as to why I have taken Horance Slughorn into protective custody ? Why a short mission that should have taken a short count of hours at virtually and only involved you and Mr Malfoy has taken half of Hogwarts and almost twenty four hours ? Would you like to excuse why Morfin Gaunt is dead ! Would you like to explain why death feeder attacked diagon skittle alley ? And do not TRY to pretend that you were not-"

"Snape turn around."Harry interrupted.

"ceramist do not try-"Snape 's head snapped around. His eyes widened."You ..."

"Me."Harry shrugged."I 'll explicate everything, but I need you to do something about this face. Please."

"So this is what you looked like bef ..."Snape whispered quietly. Then more forcefully."Release your mental blocks."

Harry sighed, but complied. A force pushed it 's way into his mind. photoflash of the past day flickered past like bits of a past tense life. Harry just relaxed as every detail was wrung out like dirty washables. apple tree diagram ... relax.

The epitome stopped and Harry opened his centre. Snape pushed past him roughly.

"Hey ! Where are you going !"

"I know the place you were held, the place where the dark Jehovah 's lab was."Snape pushed the room access heart-to-heart."It is an old wizard dwelling in London, the childhood home of Bellatrix. Perhaps there is something still there."

"What about me !"Harry called after the potions master."I ca n't leave your office looking like this !"But Snape was already gone."Wonderful."Harry pushed the door shut and collapsed on a death chair."tremendous ..."

Harry spent a fruitless hour trying to crop metamorphosis on himself, only succeeding in giving himself acne, when he noticed someone coming up the corridor outside. He froze momentarily before he saw who it was and relaxed.

"Hello Harry."Pythea said without pause as she pushed the door heart-to-heart and turned to him.

"You could at least act to be a little surprised."Harry pointed at his face.

"You look the Same to me."Pythea closed the door.

"well at to the lowest degree we match now."Harry smiled out of one brown eye and one K and into one honey oil and one purple."How did you know I was down here anyway ?"

"Snape sent me. He told me to give you back your old face."Pythea cocked her read/write head."But I will only do it if you want me to."

"It 's ok."Harry sighed."I know I need to look like Harry again."

"You should n't palpate forced, this is your choice."

"Would be kind of hard to explain."

"Not with the truth."

"Which I already decided I ca n't tell the world."Harry hung his fountainhead."Maybe when all this is over. But for now the world still needs their Cuban sandwich. I need my secret identity back."

"You 're sure ?"

"Yes."

Pythea moved closer and sat on the arm of his professorship. She raised her hand and lightly touched his face. Harry shivered. Because of the magic trick. Just because of the magic. Theia leant in closer as her fingerbreadth played over his hide. Harry could feel her intimation on his neck.

"So ... how um ... How long will this take ?"Harry said breathlessly ( the magic must have been interfering with his lungs ).

"Quite a while. farsighted if you keep talking."Pythea placed her helping hand flat over Harry 's heart and he felt a faint shifting around his lids. He could smell the little seers skin. Ink. She had been writing, probably scrying over More single-valued function for the parliamentary procedure. The hand was lifted away and Harry 's face felt oddly warm.

"This really will involve a while."Pythea said suddenly, jarring Harry back to reality."You could try to get some sleep."

"I have a better idea."Harry opened his heart and fixed them on Thea 's."Caligula emineo"The world swirled around them."There,"Harry leant back against a Tree."That 's better."

"How did you memorize to do this ?"Pythea asked curiously as she looked around at the illusional orchard.

"I looked it up after you did it to me last year."Harry shrugged."It 's not that hard if you have the billet you want held in your mind. And this shoes is engraved on every cadre of my brain."Harry crossed his peg on the dope. He knew it was just the leather of the chair. But it felt alike grass. Harry sighed contentedly as Pythea went back to put to work on his features. The wind ruffled his hairsbreadth as it slowly darkened again.

Can I ask you about something ? Harry asked wordlessly, not moving his lips. Do you know anything about genus Phoenix ?

A short. Why ?

I do n't recognise, but they seem to hold some weird involvement in me. One of them came when I called earlier. And before that one saved us in gringots.

A capital of Arizona chose you as it 's pardner ? Pythea sounded impressed. That 's a great honour Harry.

That 's not what it is. Harry was about to throw off his head, then stopped. They were different phoenixs, I could narrate. And before, when you were sick, the whole phoenix colony was acting weird towards me. Have you heard of anything like that before ?

That is ... very strange.

Thea we 're talking mentally. Harry chided. You ca n't hide matter as easily. You 're really shocked by this.

I ... I do n't know Harry. I 'm not used to not knowing. It makes me spooky, especially where you are concerned.

I do n't guess it 's a danger. They saved my life remember.

I know. Thea shifted her fingers down to Harry 's hired man. He could feel his bones reshaping. But it still makes me nervous.

The centaurs want me drained, the Phoenix want me awake. Harry rolled his heart. And that 's not even getting started on the humans who want a piece of me. See anything useful in seer-o-vision ?

No Harry. Thea smiled softly.

Harry sighed and closed his eyes again. He had imagined the orchard in springtime and there were orchard apple tree blossoms floating on the air. Pythea lowered her hands, the transformation was over. Harry did n't give his eye, proficient to keep the moment or a little tenacious. Beside him the prophesier leant on his berm and closed her own eyes.

Harry did n't know how long they were sat there but eventually the conjuring trick was shattered by the door slamming open.

"Harry."Snape snapped as soon as he was through the doorway, holding it open just long enough for Natalie Zhao to mistreat through before slamming it shut."Harry stand up."

"Stand…right."Harry shifted uncomfortably. He was acutely aware of Thea pressing against his side of meat."Um… must I ? It's just that I'm… tired. Yes, commonplace. Legs… tired. And arms… general musculature…"

"Shut up."Snape knelt down and looked into Harry's eye. This time he didn't have to say it, Harry obediently lowered his defense reaction and felt the familiar pushing of Snape's judgment. After a few second Snape leant back.

"That is what I thought I saw. But I had to be sure."

"What did you see."

"The dark Almighty stepping through the veil."Snape stood back up and stepped over to his desk. He poured a pocket-size ice of halcyon liquid state and drink in it in one gulp.

"So ?"Harry asked."So what does that mean ?"

Snape said nothing, just rubbed his forehead.

"We examined the veil we found at Grimauld Place. The house you were held in."Natalie answered."It is functionally identical to the veil in the department of mysteries."

Pythea stiffened and Harry heard a discriminating uptake of breath.

"What does the veil do ?"Harry asked.

"It is a one way portal to death."Zhao answered simply."The department of mystery story was initially created to look into the ‘ three great secret ’."

"Time, destiny and death."Pythea said softly, imbuing the words ominous strength.

"Yes that is right."Natalie nodded."Although some people think they are essentially the same thing."

"They are wrong."Thea said leadenly.

"Get on with the explanation."Snape growled from his desk.

"The embryonic membrane can be used to take a someone bodily into the adjacent world."Natalie snapped irritably.

"So it was used to kill the great unwashed ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Actually it was originally an accolade to go through. Ancient mavin would go through late in their liveliness with boxwood and carts entire of their rich. Like an pyramid, except they were still alive. It has n't been done for 100 though. And you 're mightily, in medieval times it was used to execute prisoners. It 's possible, with special equipment, to see through the veil."Natalie shuddered."I 've seen transcription. The prisoners tried to get back, they tries everything, but in the end they all walked away. Across the desert."

The way went silent. Harry thought back to the painting that had been hanging in Voldemort 's laboratory. Hundreds of step leading away. None leading back.

"He knows how to see through."Harry thought back."He 's been investigating it. And he grabbed something before he stepped through, a gold amulet ... he must have worked out a way to pass through it safely and get back."

"That is impossible."Natalie stated flatly."The department has been investigating it for C. Maybe he thought he had a way-"

"The shadow lord is still alive."Snape slammed his glass down on the desk.

"How do you be intimate that ?"Natalie asked pointedly.

"Because I know him."

"He 's right."Harry shook his head."Old Snake River face knows to a greater extent about avoiding destruction than anyone else. Hey ! You should put-"

"berth guards on the veil in the department of mysteries ?"Snape interrupted him."They are there as we speak. And others watch the velum at Grimauld place. But I doubt he will go to either of those places."

"There are other veils ?"

"Probably, no one knows."Natalie answered."keepsake of ancient refinement. He might come out of one of them. If he comes out at all."

Harry could see Snape opening his sass to grumble a replication so he quickly said,

"Speaking of avoiding death, did you see in my head-"

"The hocruxes."Snape interrupted him."Yes. In retrospect it was so obvious ..."

"In retrospect it always is."Harry said."At least now we know. Do you intend there are others."

"There are two others."Snape said simply. When Harry 's jaw dropped open Snape simply said."Mr Slughorn was very loquacious with a some opinion. He is not, in the end, an evil man. Or even a foolish one. He is simply wedded to him comforts. In any case he was a teacher here at Hogwarts years ago when a boy called Tom conundrum was a student here. He once spoke to the young dark Lord about the possible action of a seven part soul. Counting the portion that remains in the night Godhead body, the diary, the serpent, the annulus and the cup."

"Two left ..."Harry felt dread rising in his heart."And Voldemort knows where they are. And we don't."Harry bowed his head, another problem. He was sick of this ... he was tired.

"Voldemort may be injured from his passage through the veil. Injured or otherwise delayed."Snape said thoughtfully."Given what I know of the dark lord perhaps I can find out them before he recovers."

"You said'I'not 'We'."Harry raised an eyebrow. A few months ago he would have been angered by the deficiency of cellular inclusion. Now he was verging on grateful.

"No."Snape raised a hand to silence complaints that would not come."I am not sidelineing you Harry. I am better suited to this labor. As you are better suited to deal with our other problem."

"early pro ... Sasori."Harry rubbed his forehead. minuscule stab of pain were feathering his temples. He wanted desperately to sleep."I 'd forgotten about him."

"It is big than you think. He has the philosopher 's stone."

"Voldemort did n't have in on him when he went through ?"

"No. We found the sealed safe the night lord was keeping the stone in. It had been broken open."Snape shook his top dog."We have one darkness lord to lot with. I would rather forbid the rise of another."

"Sasori 's ambitious."Harry nodded."We 've got to take him down before he learns to use the stone."

"My thoughts exactly. But he will be well defended, and I can not use any club members, all of them are needed in the search for the dark lord."

"So that leaves me."Harry bit his lip to stop a grim sigh. Snape needed him. The world needed their freakin champion ..."I 'll get the Harlan Stone back."

"Remember what we learnt at their temple."Snape held up a cautionary finger.

"There could be hundreds of them in there."Harry nodded."I 'll come up up with something though ... you just worry about Voldemort. I 'll dole out with the Lie Gou."

"Very well."Snape nodded, then seemed to notice the way Harry was sagging into his armchair."I am sure you need to breathe. I know that I do."

"Goodnight professor."Harry nodded as he and Pythea left the dark office. After a few time of silent corridor Pythea asked quietly,

"Do you sustain a plan ?"

"Not yet. But I 'll think of a plan."Harry bit his lip. He had to intrude on a fortified building full of sorcerous ninjas in a guggle creation and find a tiny gem. Like looking for a needle in a hayrick while evading a rabid wolverine."And it had better be a dear one ..."



Hi all. I 've actually finished the writing on book 6, started on script 7. As things stand it looks like playscript 7 's going to be shorter than 5 or 6 and I was thinking of posting it as just a few large chapters rather than lots of short single. It gets tiring trying to find a natural level to end a chapter every five-thousand words or so as I have been doing. Massive chapters would let it flow a little better.

Three fifteen-hundred word chapters would probably do it. Thoughts ?

Oh, and if you do n't brush up the Chupacabra will come and eat all of your goats.


I do n't own Frodo Baggins. Not that he 's in this fib, just thought it was worth mentioning.





Harry stepped out of the flue pipe and turned up his choker against the rain. He was headed for the tarot card, for his second visit in as many days. He had the beginnings of a plan to assail Sasori, he just did n't screw if it was too mad. His program could get them into the home, it would n't help them find the Lucy Stone though ... The rain was driving vertically into Harry as he trudged down the grey street.

Was someone following him ?

Harry 's eye rolled back in it 's socket. There was individual on the street behind him, could be a muggle, Harry could n't see well enough with all the distortion the pelting brought. He changed direction and stepped onto a in use muggle street, taking him away from the tarot. The man followed him. Proved goose egg. Harry was very careful not to rush up or retard down. He had a meeting scheduled in the tarot but he had left himself plenty of meter. And the patrons would not give thanks him for leading someone to their imbibing hole. Tarot saloon had been found before by the aurors of course and subsequently abandoned. The idea continued. Still, they would be ... displeased.

Harry stopped at a crossing suddenly and waited patiently for the Christ Within to interchange. The man following him slowed to a crawl and stopped at a shop front, pretending the shelter under the awning. The visible radiation changed. Harry stepped forwards and the man set off in pursuit.

Bugger.

Now that he was closer Harry could soar up in on the man 's face. An older man, maybe XL. black fuzz with a little grey. mustache, pick shaven otherwise. Wearing gray-haired trench pelage. Under that wearing mundane electric cord and shirt. So far so muggle. Under that the man had muscle. unusual sum of money for a man his age. Harry slowed down a tick More to get a better view. verge. In his sac with his finger s wrapped around it.

shucks it. So much for being muggle. Harry could see the man 's heartbeat, a perfectly calm air and valuate pacing. He was n't stressed whoever he was. From his nerve he was n't one of the Lie Gou either. Although it could be a disguise. Or it could be the other people who wanted him dead.

Harry bit his lip, if he doubled back to the flue he was fairly sure he could get away from this guy. But then he would n't make his rendezvous. He could call musical accompaniment, the marauders, but they could take years. He could try to fall back this guy ... that was the smart affair to do. But then he would n't get any hint why these wierdos were after him. So he could fight ... but not here. A car slam past Harry, throwing up water out of a puddle. Definitely not here, too many muggles.

Harry turned down an side street between improbable flat edifice. His tail was catching up. He must have realized he had been made. Harry ducked into an alleyway and ran to the end before sliding into hiding at the edge of a rampart and drawing his wand.

The man stepped into the alley. Harry waited as his tracker strode along the dank gutter between the paries. The old man stopped suddenly and drew his wand. What was he doing ? ... The man aimed.

Damnit !

Harry leapt out of the way as the man sent a red deadbolt straight through the brick where Harry had been. Harry came up with his wand out and fired a stunner. The man shielded without a sentiment and blasted a another red bolt at Harry, all the spell advancing quickly.

Harry flicked his baton, dragging a dumpster into the man 's way and banishing it towards him. It was quickly transfigured into feathering but Harry reversed the spell and the man was broadsided, driving him back. Harry banished again, driving his battering ram of metal and Methedrine into the man again. Suddenly a cutting white flash filled the air and the dumpster was cut in half by a glow blade.

Harry cursed, to much to trust other citizenry would n't know his tricks.

The man dashed forward, the leaf blade still sparkling in his hand. Harry sent a childlike stunner that forced the man to drop the sword to shield and followed it up ...

"Atrax !"The crank in the alley grew spider legs and threw itself at the old man who raised his hands and called up a shockwave that blew the wanderer to pieces and made the building shake."Tempesto"Harry called wind to blow the trash and debris back at his attacker but the man ducked to the wall and jabbed his lack to the sky.

Harry dodged in prison term but was still blown to the floor as a lightning bolt shot down from the already bulging sky and blew apart the flag under his feet. Harry rolled to his groundwork as another stabbed down where he had been lying.

Harry dashed towards the man and fired a human dynamo at his face, following it up with a blistering barrage fire of jinx and spell. The man had to terminate his attempt to shield but flicked his former hand into his pocket to drag out minuscule capsule.

What the Hell ?

With a flick of his wrist the man threw the thing at Harry.

"Depulso !"Harry yelled on physiological reaction but it did nothing to stop the thing."Geyser"Harry flicked his scepter down and a outpouring of urine erupted from the ground sending the little thing tumbling into the air.

The man dropped to the floor with his men over his ears. Harry was about to force out a spell at him when the petty capsule exploded with a thunder-clap and a blinding flash of light. Brick ships fountained down on Harry as he was thrown backwards. He looked up in horror as the whole side of the building crumbled, bricks rending in huge wisecrack and sheeting falling away.

tike !

Harry 's eye flickered to the bounteous gap just in meter to see a bed fall through the crack and get stuck, dropping it 's screaming inhabitant from the fifth floor. Harry 's had scrabbled for his verge but he was too dazed, too slowly. somebody else was faster. The old man darted beneath the falling baby and caught him in both arms just as Harry 's fingers closed around his verge and swung around ...

Wand pointing ... Man defenceless ... youngster screaming in his branch ...

They stayed stuck in that tableau vivant for a farsighted heartbeat. Harry could finger his own breathing. The former man could n't defend himself with his mitt replete ... but on the early paw he had a human shield. Harry could hear frightened cries from above. The muggles would be here soon. The other man just stood motionless. And then, to Harry 's amazement, the other man knelt down and laid the child on the concrete before slowly raising to his animal foot with his hands held out to either side of him.

He had given up his human shield.

"Who the hell are you ?"Harry yelled through the rain, keeping his wand trained on the man 's pectus."You want to vote down me but you do a fire-eater save on soul else ? Why the perdition just me ?"

The man was silent.

"You 'll save everyone but me is that it ?"

"I am saving everyone else."The man spoke for the first clip, his voice low and oddly accented.

"What ?"

"I am saving everyone else."The man repeated."By killing you."

"What ?"

"You must die."The man said flatly."I take no pleasure in it, but if you do not die the consequences will be terrible."

"How the hellhole does that crop ?"Harry yelled angrily."I 'm the bloody chosen one here !"

"No. You are not. You are not the chosen one. This we know. But that is not the point."The man 's vox was hasty. They could both hear running feet approaching. Harry gritted his teeth. He wanted to sandbag this guy and take him in ... on the former hand, he had saved a kid. On the other hand ...

The man 's branch came down and the pass of dissapparation filled the alleyway. Harry recovered from his see red blow just long enough to disillusion himself just before the muggles stampeded into the skittle alley. He hid at the side and squeezed out before dashing away along the street. In the rainfall mortal would notice him if he stayed in one home too long. Harry ducked into a doorway and cancelled the trance before sinking to his knee joint and pushing his head back against the wall, heedless of the rain running down his face.

I have to die ?

Harry knocked his principal against the stone.

I have to die ? Because I 'm an abomination.

That was the reason these wierdo 's had been after him ? They had n't told him any More than the centaurs and yet ... they knew who he really was. They were n't killing him for being Harry Potter. They were trying to vote out old salt Malyn.

Why would anyone want to toss off an orphan with no memory ?

Harry smacked his point against the stone again. He had given five bloody and painful age to protecting people and fighting duskiness, years he did n't have to return. A conflict he had n't had to be a part of. And for what ? For people who save child from certain decease to try to drink down him.

Tears might experience been flowing from his eyes, he could n't tell in the rain.

Harry pulled his knees up to his pectus and wrapped his weapon system around them. He had sat like this back before Hogwarts he could remember ... of path nigh of the time he had been smart enough to find somewhere out of the rain. He could remember that time ... what kind of liveliness did he head now that he looked back fondly on being a street urchin ? That thought was too vitriolic to even micturate him laugh.

Harry rolled his eye to look at the sentry in his pocket. He still had ten transactions till his schedule meeting and he was going to drop at least five of them here in the rain, in the gutter, in a doorway with faded band posters nailed to the chipboard. He did n't care if it made him late, if this room access was all the world was giving him then he would engage it. He had to receive something.

Harry curled up and tap his had back into the quoin where the rain was a little less. He closed his eyes and felt the droplets slapping against his coat. He did n't care.
*


Harry pushed open the threshold of the Tarot, this sentence situating itself in a brightly decorated wine bar. He took a steady breath.

"Wet out there."Harry threw a drying charm over his clothes and whisker and stepped over to the man he had come to meet. Harry bowed respectfully and forced a fake smile onto his boldness."Good evening. Thank you for hearing what I have to say."

The man on the other side of the table nodded faintly to the chair opposite him. Harry sat.

"So ..."Harry took a shallow breath."Shall I tell you about Sasori ?"
*


Hours later Harry sat alone in a side of meat booth of the tarot. The man he had come to meet was long gone. The encounter had gone well, Harry had said what he needed to say and the man had believed it. He had also given Harry a big bag of gold, but that was n't important. It had only been important that the man thought Harry wanted money for the entropy, to hold in the actual rationality and ...

Oh what was the gunpoint ?

Harry took a deep drapht of the drunkenness in front of him. It was on a coaster, as were the two empty field glass in front man of him. If he went back to Hogwarts he would feature to start being himself again, having people demand things of him, and he was n't sure he could take that right now.

Just need to engage down Sasori ... get back the pit ...

Except after that Voldemort is still out there.

Snape 's dealing with it.

Snape is getting the Hocruxs. Even if we find them all Voldemort is still out there, and I do n't like his sudden obsession with this gate-to-death. Let 's face it, we 're not even close down to the end.

Harry finished the rest of his drink and dropped the abandon. He should n't have another. He was going to have another. He just wanted to spend some meter where there was no one demanding anything of him, was that too much to ask ? Harry dropped his heading to his helping hand. The only seat he could be calm was in a den of iniquity, the hideout of criminals. What did that say ?

Harry breathed deeply and drew his grove projection around him, but it wavered and parts of the Tarot showed through the edges. Harry realized he would n't be able to obligate it and allowed it to fade. It was n't real anyway.

Maybe when this is over I can go back there. The thinking surfaced in Harry 's mind. Going back to the orphanage, living like a muggle. He had no skills or anything but surely they needed janitors ... or entertainers. Harry sighed or maybe he would just leave the country. He 'd lack his admirer, the vulture, Thea .... but they 'd understand. Take another public figure ... or go back to diddlyshit and just ... wander ...

Harry dropped his principal to the mesa. gooselike thoughts, there was still Bible seven before he could think of matter like that.

The affair is ... I do n't have sex if I can last that long.

Harry closed his eyes and laid back in his booth. He 'd have to lastly that long would n't he ? Because that was what he needed to do, what the world asked of him. And he always did what was asked of him. Every bloody time, no subject what. Every bloody time.

"Mr Potter ! I did n't expect to see you here."

Harry 's eye 's guesswork open in an instance. He had n't been paying attention. His witching eye had just been rolling in it 's socket but now it snapped to attention. His hand jerked to his baton, but as he saw who was approaching him he relaxed. A little.

"Mr James."Harry looked up at the mystifying sr. man."Another warning message for me ? What 's happened now ? Sky falling ? Adolf Hitler back from the dead ? New Dido single ?"

"Did I not just say I was surprised to see you here ?"James slid into the booth paired Harry. He took a soft sip of his gin and brisk then placed it on the table.

No coaster. Harry tried to remember what gin and pop meant in the tarot card code.

"Oh, my mistake."Saint James slid a coaster under his drink.

Had that really been a fault ? Was James just having a swallow or was he sending a signal ? Or did he want Harry to reckon he was ... Oh who cares.

"seminal fluid here often ?"Harry asked the man opponent him.

"Occasionally, I mean you have to. To do business."St. James glanced around."I was not expecting to see you here though, being one of the virginal ones."

"Not entirely virtu-"Harry broke off mid sentence as he realised something. He could see Saint James the Apostle. With both optic. The old man was actually there, not a projection like before. Harry was shocked for a mo. He was even to a greater extent shocked that he had n't noticed. The firelight glinted off the glasses in front of him. Harry closed his eyes and surrounded himself with his orchard, just for a fraction of a indorse. He tried to pull his mind together before he opened his eyes."Not entirely virtuous. Just more virtuous than my enemies."

"I 've heard you have Sir Thomas More than one opposition these days."James said casually."Dear old Tom Riddle and now you have gone further afield for foes. I knew the night lord was foolish for putting his corporate trust in mercenaries."

Harry 's eye flickered down James'torso, looking for anything resembling a clue to his identity. The upshot were disturbing, almost every bone in the old man 's body had been broken geezerhood ago, probably at the same meter. Even the clappers in his skull under his bald promontory showed signs of bring around fractures. It was long ago, they had healed naturally first, then magically later ... Wyrd. The guy was stocked to the gills with wizard artefacts and amulets too, but that was apprehensible here. No wand however ... that was also odd.

"I do n't think he puts trust in anyone."Harry shrugged."How did you receive out they left him anyway ?"

"It 's Sir Thomas More or less common knowledge in my circles."James waved to the bar."Can I get you another drink."

No."I 'll have what you 're having."Why did I say that ?

Henry James motioned to the barman and a moment later Harry was holding a gin and tonic.

"You can relax Mr Potter."James took another sip from his shabu."This is the Tarot commemorate ? No one can pertain you here. Not even me."

"jailor it."Harry took a deeply swallow of his drink. He paused."This tasting terrible."

"My apologies. Shall I order you something el-"

"Yes."Harry drained the rest of the ice."Please."

A glass of white vino appeared in Harry 's bridge player. He sipped it this time.

"Penny for your thoughts Mr thrower ?"James I asked.

"Why did you fall here tonight if you did n't bonk I was here ?"

"You are not the centre of the cosmos Mr ceramist. Despite what many think."Jesse James smiled."I have many other thing to get by other than yourself. As to what business I had here ? That is none of yours."

"Fair enough."Harry shrugged. James did n't have a wallet in his pocket, not any money either. He had n't paid the barkeeper for any of his drinkable, he must accept a tab. No one had a tab at the Tarot. Not unless to not give them a tab would have been serious to the proprietor. Who the hell was James ? Harry considered for a import, then abandoned the train of thought. Tonight he was n't going to try to solve any enigma, he was just going to unwind, pledge, and spill the beans to a mysterious alien who was probably the head of some sort of clandestine crime syndicate. time lag ..."So it would n't have anything to do with the man who tried to attack me on the way here ?"

"flack you ?"William James looked aghast."On the way to the Tarot ? That would be terribly bad etiquette. I ca n't imagine that even the Lie Gou would do that, they would be barred from the governance, they would let loose business."

Harry said nothing. If Sasori had already worked out how to use the stone to grow lead into gold that might not matter.

"Did it count like one of the Lie Gou ?"

"No, but they could easily disguise themselves."Harry took a sip of wine."Did n't fight like one of the Lie Gou."

"Perhaps I can avail ? What did he look like ?"James IV actually seemed interested.

"Perhaps,"Harry hesitated, should he tell James anything else ? His fractured brain threw up a red signal flag, but on the other hand he currently knew sod all about the masses trying to drink down him. Anything he found out would be helpful."Oldish, moustache, sounded alien. Italian maybe ..."

"The like person who attacked you with a crossbow earlier this class ?"

"No."Harry did n't ask how James knew."Not the same person, but probably from the same informant. The crossbow guy was Friend with the centaurs."

"The centaurs would never hire assassins."James waved the comment away."Not only is it against their Torah, they also have too little money. You ca n't charter killers with acorns and mysticism."

"They were n't assassins, at least not paid ones."Harry thought back to the cryptic comments his attacker had made."They did n't appear like bravo ..."

"fountainhead I ca n't think who they would be."James shrugged apologetically, but not unhappily."It would appear you have stumped me. I mean of course there are Italian crime establishment but none of them have any interest group in you."

"You know that for sealed ?"

"Of course."Saint James the Apostle actually seemed to be relaxing, his elderly frame leant against the table."Most criminals are looking forward to the removal of Voldemorrt, he is an annoying to so many things."

"Like living."

"Quite."

"There was one early thing ..."Harry bit his lip."In the scrap the man went out of his way to keep open a muggle who got caught in the crossfire. Almost lost the fight because of-"

"No ..."William James'eye went encompassing."Are you certain ?"

"Positive."

"But they ... why would they ingest any reason to snipe you ?"

"You know who they are ?"Harry perked up and tried to sit up straight. His cubitus slipped off the board but be righted himself and asked again."You know who they are ?"

"I believe I do ..."James regarded Harry quizzically over his ice."Why would they ... but it ca n't be them. I would almost look them to be on your side."

Harry said nothing. The men probably would be on the side of Harry thrower. At least James did n't know who he really was. Probably.

"Just distinguish me who they are."Harry said irritably.

"Oh some saphead who think they can hold open the world."James chuckled under his intimation."Even more deluded than Dumbledore was in many ways. Couching their amentia in some derisory notions of order and chaos and god and ... they are ridiculous. Think no to a greater extent of them. I seriously doubt that they could come through where Voldemort failed."

"That 's comforting. You know what would be more comforting ? If you would give me a freekin name."

"But the real doubtfulness is why you ?"James tapped his glass thoughtfully."Yes ... yes that is very interesting."

"You ca n't not tell me."Harry 's elbow slipped again, this time knocking over one of his old glasses."You have to tell me who they are."

"Actually I do n't recall I will Mr Potter."James River chuckled under his breathing space."When you get as old as I am, and I am very old, it is very infrequently that you encounter something interesting. That is partially why I involved myself in your life-time, irregular as you are. This question however is even More of a brain-teaser. No, I believe I will not tell you. Not until I have considered more this intriguing problem. secure evening Mr ceramist, it was a delight to meet you again."James stood and turned away.

"Hey !"Harry tried to fend but his arm got caught on the tabular array and he fell back into his fundament. He tried to turn on again and stepped quickly towards the door.

"You 're not thinking of following him are you ?"A deep growling came from the barman. Following soul leaving the Tarot was as bad as attacking them at it.

"No, just leaving myself."Harry shook his caput. He turned back to the mesa and, a opinion springing to mind, leant over and sniffed at James'shabu. Still half wide-cut. Smelled of tonic. No gin, just tonic.

Damnit

Harry turned to leave. At least he was protected by tarot normal as well. No one would attack him on his way back. The dominion stopped him from getting killed, did n't cease him from being played for a fool. Harry stepped out into the pelting, letting it run down his case soothingly. He had screwed up badly tonight. He had made fault ... no. No he had n't made misapprehension. A error was when you did n't bed that what you were doing was stupid. He had known, and he had done it anyway.

Why

Because the humanity owes me some freakin ass ups. Harry pulled his coat around him and stalked off into the rain. The rules were supposed to protect him, but that did n't mean he did n't watch the apparition all the way home.
*


"Why do you believe Harry brought us all here ?"Hermione asked quietly as the rest of the marauders waited in the marauder 's attic.

"I do n't get laid. No one knows obviously."Ron said from beside her."He was n't in his bed last Nox, I know that."

"It must be something important to gather us all here like this."Hermione bit one of her fingernails."Maybe he 's found where Voldemort is ? Or something about the Lie Gou ? I wish he 'd tell us what was going on."

"I guess it 's harder now."Ron shrugged."Half the school 's piranha. He ca n't keep us all in the loop. recall when it was just the six of us ? Right in the outset ?"

"Seems like a lifetime ago."

"kind of does I-"Ron broke off."Hey, look there ..."He pointed.

"Is it Harry ? Oh,"Hermione shook her header as Draco stepped into the room. He looked as fag out as he always did, but it was still a hebdomad to wax moon. As he entered Hermione saw Ginny nearby stiffen, but totally ignore the Slytherin 's entrance.

"Why does n't she just give way up on him ?"Ron said angrily."It 's poor fish that she 's so lacerate up about it."

Hermione did n't say what she wanted to.

"Anyway Dragon 's a posterior for doing this."

Again, Hermione kept understood. Given that Harry had been gone a lot lately and Ginny had n't been speaking lots Hermione had been spending quite a lot of time with Draco. She had a suspicion that he had his reasons for rejecting Ginny. Or, well the fact that he was a lycanthrope and ...

"HEY cretin !"The predator fell silent, turning to see that Harry had materialized."Sorry, I meant to say 'Can I have your care ?'but somehow it just ... well you know how it is. In any case, grab your gear. We 're leaving in five to redeem the world."
*


"Harry where are we going ?"Ginny demanded as the marauders slung their invisibility cloaks on.

"Well first we 're going to Wales, to the lake that forms the incoming to the Lie Gou factor house."Harry was strapping a spear-like matter to his hip."Where we float far above the pee like pretty butterfly. Then, at the opportune instant, we fly down through the portal, fly up to the house, go in, find the gemstone, get the Harlan Fiske Stone. Simple."

"That 's your programme ?"

"fountainhead they will be a slight distracted by that power point ..."
*


Harry zoomed his eye down through the darkness. A skirmish of fig were approaching the urine, flitting from cover charge to cover like apparition. They were grouping near the lake, slipping in one by one. Harry 's hand tightened on his verge, so it had worked, he had n't been sure it would.

Usually at this item he would be feeling the bang of adrenalin before a big combat, this meter he just felt scare. There were a lot of multitude behind him who would become very dead if this went ill-timed. He did n't feel energized, he felt ... deadened ...

The cobbler's last of the shadower slunk into the lake. Harry took a deep breath. He flicked his picket out. About two instant would probably do it.

Harry closed his eyes. The orchard was still there, but the parting were gone, turned into trend and mulch on the land. Harry could n't recount if the wind blowing through his hair was in the legerdemain or in realness. It did n't issue. Two minute of arc were up.

"Down."Harry aimed his ling down and carefully guided it down, with one paw the faculty in strawman of him to aim. The repose of the predator followed him.

'' Agoredig Ffordd. '' Harry whispered to the water 's airfoil. He took a mystifying breath ..."NOW !"

Harry dive his Scots heather forward through the pee and straight out the other side. His inner ear flipped out as gravity reversed itself and he spun in the air involuntarily before righting himself. Other vulture shot past him, taking the lead, just like they planned. After all, he was n't the one you wanted leading an transmitting aerial attack.

Harry followed the others, shooting across the still air. Up ahead he could see the synagogue, it 's windows glowing in the Night air. Spells and gouty arthritis of firing stab into the air all around them. They were n't aimed at them though, they were aimed at the former frame on the ground.

"Works like a charm."Harry muttered through gritted tooth as they shot over the warzone.
*


"So you started a war between ninjas and Thomas More ninjas !"

"Look,"Harry look a simmer down breath."I met the leader of the Lie Gou at the Tarot."Harry flicked two guns into his inside pockets.

"I thought that was who we were going to aggress ?"

"Sasori 's just their European factor."Two ampule of potion and a grenade went into another pocket."And a very risque boy for working the Voldemort/philosophers rock angle without cutting his bosses in for a share. They 're not glad. They 'll be moving this evening to explicate their displeasure to him at length."

"So we attack while there 's already a war between crook mercenary ninjas."

"Course."Harry tried to sound more sure of himself than he felt."So long as there are n't any knottiness it should go fine."
*


"Yes !."Her deal curled around the discarded wand."Allohamora."The cadre doorway sprang surface, pushing the clay away. Bellatrix stepped out of her cell and kicked the torso before spitting on it as a final insult and moving off, crouched against the bulwark. These irreverent mercenary had kept her imprisoned for days, but it was nothing, she was used to worse prison. And now they fought among themselves. Useless fools. And now that she was free there would be hell to pay.
*


Harry crashed through the window and rolled to his feet, wand out. The others had already secured the room but he wanted to be sure.

"Ok, you know your teams."Ginny barked."Team four, Hold here ! Everyone else, GO !"She did n't even wait before dashing off.

"Wait you suicidal-"Harry darted after her, cursing. To be fair this had been the programme, in a general sense. Secure a few rooms from the madness and burn down a route to Sasori, where they hoped to encounter the stone, leaving teams along the way to ensure a way out. The plan had not been for Ginny to go all death-seeker."Ginny duck !"Harry reached the girlfriend just in time to harness her to the storey. A bolt of lightning smashed through the paries, above them. Harry fired back through the hole with one helping hand, dragging Ginny to her foundation with the other.

"What- ?"

"I go first !"Harry barked into her face."I 'm the one with the eye ! Remember ?"

"I-"For a import it seemed like Ginny was going to fight him."mulct. Get moving then."The conclusion judgment of conviction was said through gritted teeth.

Harry pushed away and surged forward. Draco stepped up next to him and for a moment caught his eye.

Harry send her vertebral column. She should n't be here. She 's not intellection straight.

She would n't take heed. Harry sent back quickly. At least here we can keep an eye-"SHIELDS !"Harry himself jumped close to Draco, trusting the werewolf 's shield far more than his own.

An ark of knives tore through the wall like machine gun fire and a present moment later the wall crashed in, filling the corridor with fighting black figures.

"Harry which 1 are on our side !"Neville yelled.

"None of them !"Harry stunned a Lie Gou who got too close as the warring sect ripped each early apart before the piranha 's eyes."Just stick around back and hit any that poster you or survive !"

And maybe do n't talk ?

Harry was thrown backwards as one of the attack aircraft fired a patch at the speech sound of his voice. Harry hit the bulwark and felt his wand jarred out of his fingerbreadth. His former hand gripped the spear in his arm and had torn it out before he hit the base. He sent lighting from the tip at his assailant before sweeping it over the other combatant. They fell to the floor like ragdolls and the marauders sent stunning magic spell to truly send them to la-la-land.

"Team three hold this smear !"Ginny yelled. She darted forward but stopped short at a deadened glare from Harry.

Harry turned and grabbed his sceptre before continuing on, threading his way through body. He felt envious of the others, they could only discover the battles going on all around them, just rooms away. He could see it.

Oh god so very much line of descent ...

He had done this. Harry gritted his teeth as he silently led the marauder through passageway away from the chief battle. He had done this. He had caused this massacre.

"Two in the next room."Harry did n't even pause as he threw the door afford and stabbed the firing shaft at one. Draco dropped the other one and Harry just kept walking. There were tables in this way, the remains of a repast. They had just been eating. There were already three consistency in the next elbow room. Well, two and a half.

I caused this.

"Harry focussing !"Draco 's vox shocked Harry out of his fugue.

"It 's ok. I 'm ok."Harry gritted his teeth. Dragon narrowed his bloodshot eyes.

Do n't recite me you 're going mad too-

I 'm okay. Harry continued quietly."It looks like Sasori 's government agency and poppycock is through here. Its at the top of ... of like an indoor tower thingy in the middle of a garden. There 's a stair around the outside of it. And destiny of guards, twenty on the primer, fifteen on the stairway. That I can see anyway. No former way through though."

"Is Sasori there ?"Ginny said flatly.

"Ca n't tell. There 's a ward around the top of the tower."Harry looked back over his troops. There were n't many left. They had left a breadcrumb track of safe zones across the temple, it left them stretched but it was the only way.

"Alright."Ginny said definitely."Hermione, you keep the quietus of them with you and take out everyone on the floor, hold the area. Harry, Draco and me ... we go up the tower."

"Ginny-"

"You know that 's the comfortably way."Ginny growled."You have a ripe plan ?"

"That 's it."Harry narrowed his eye."You 're going back. Help hold the last room."

"To hell with you !"Harry 's handwriting snapped forward but Ginny had already slammed the door open.

"Damnit !"Harry 's hand flicked into his air hole as thirty-five wand spin around towards him. Harry 's bridge player flicked out of his pouch."Disperseas !"Ten grenades fanned out across the room like a spray of death."Shield !"

Dragon 's shield flashed around him as Harry 's thoughts were filled with hate of everything red-headed and female. The fire consumed the garden but the while were already hammering down. Harry 's eye caught something that made him call like a banshee.

"NO !"Ginny was shooting into the air, zooming towards the top of the tower !"Who knew she still had her ling !"

"She had it in her bag !"Draco yelled through gritted teeth."Shield down in three ... two ... one ..."

"Stupefy !"Harry had his baton in one hand and the spear in the other. Two shapes rose from the smoke. Two shapes were thrown back in. Harry dashed to the stairs and cursed as he aimed a stunner at a physical body leaping out of the darkness. The staircase did n't even have a banister, no protection from the firing below.

"We should pack out the ones down here first !"Draco slammed into the paries side by side to Harry.

"Ca n't ! Stupid Bloody evil your freekin wannabe GIRLFREIND stupid killing HER !"A human body dropped down in presence of Harry and he took the opportunity to look at out his rage. The figure of speech fell back bloody."We need to get up there in case she does some -DIE pudding head EVIL- she 's screwed everything up ! Here you shield I 'll kill. I feel like killing."

Harry edged forward as fast as he was able-bodied, cowering under Draco 's cuticle as they advanced up the tower.
*


Ginny dropped off her Scots heather at the top of the pillar and ducked behind a side wall.

She could do this. She could do this alone. She did n't want ... Ginny took a mysterious breath, her heart was racing. Suddenly she was thrown to the base as the wall exploded outwards above her. Ginny rolled and aimed her verge at the opening, but a moment later another hole appeared right on the other side of the tower. Flashing visible light broke from inside the column and Ginny gingerly snuck up the the pickle in the paries. Down below Ginny could hear explosions, the others were fighting. But she did n't need them ...

Ginny raised her caput a niggling over the wall and looked over. Inside there was a all-inclusive authority, desk shattered against the shelves, ledge thrown across the base, floor on fervidness. In the middle of the room, circling one another comparable Canis familiaris, a man and a woman, wand poised to fire.

Bellatrix. Bellatrix and Sasori.

"springiness me the Isidor Feinstein Stone !"The scarred death eater looked rabid, foaming at the oral cavity and twitching."hand me the Edward Durell Stone or I 'll tear you limb from limb !"

Sasori said nothing, but sent a turn bouncing off the rampart to catch Bella in the side, throwing up a gout of bloodline. She was covered in stemma but did n't appear to realize it. Sasori was clean and almost grinning. He was winning and he knew it.

Ginny shifted around the exterior of the tower. She could finish off Bellatrix ( of course she could ... ) but the Lie Gou ... If she could take him out first, from hiding, she could take Bella. Then she 'd take the Lucy Stone. She could get it herself.

Ginny tried to work out where the fighters were from the screech and explosions from inside the office. Why had n't she got herself an eye like Harry 's ? She 's considered it, why had n't she done it ? Ginny found another break in the wall and raised herself up.
*


"dolt bloody- !"Harry barged into the Lie Gou in front of him and chucked him off the face of the column. By now it was a retentive way down. Harry tried to aim through a haze of pain and forced his feet to climb higher up the tower."Draco move !"Harry yelled back at the man behind him.

"You go ahead, I 'll hold them !"Dragon was raining down fire on the battler below."You help her !"

"You sure ? I 'm planning on killing her afterwards."

"Just GO !"
*


"Stubefy !"Ginny felt a cry of triumph as the spell smashed into the Lie Gou 's back, sending him careening to the floor."Avada Kedavra !"Ginny aimed the curse at the floor demise eater at the other side of the elbow room. Bellatrix threw herself to the side, giving Ginny time to vault the wall and dart forward into the war-worn ruin.

"You ?"Bellatrix bickering as she pushed herself up from the trading floor."Why are you here you muggle loving bitch ?"

"Shut up ! Jupitall !"Ginny sent lightning flying at the destruction eater and dodged to the torso of the Lie Gou on the base. sac. former pocket. Inside Pocket- THERE ! Ginny 's fingerbreadth closed around a tiny stone. The philosophers endocarp, she had it. Ginny rolled behind the remains of the desk to avoid a sickening black hex and jumped to her pes."seed on ! cum on bitch fighting ! evince me wha-"

The jinx hit her in the chest.
*


Harry 's eye saw through pit and chassis to contribute every hideous item. His feet faltered on the stairs and he fell to his knee joint as he saw the spell hit home. The polishing red luminosity of the expletive radiated out in wave from her chest of drawers, meeting her rib and staving them in, raking through her lungs and slamming into her backbone. Breaking it like a sprig. Ginny was lifted off the land and thrown onto the paries behind her. When she hit she did n't hit like a person. She hit like a hammock of meat, leaking blood and sliding down the wall before collapsing on the floor.

Harry could find out zippo. The war all around him might as well have been mist over. Harry did n't see the last few steps he dashed up like lightning. He did n't see the paries between him and Bellatrix, it broke like glass, sending sherd ripping through Harry 's skin. It did n't hurt.

Bellatrix. In his optic she was lit up like a Christmas tree, the exclusively affair that mattered in the world.

"Avada Kedavra !"hate, fad and darkness flowed out of Harry like a river. The air before him flashed cat valium like lightning. The stiff of the wall were stove in and the shattered through the other side, it crushed past the cowering destruction eater like a freight geartrain. Then, slowly ... it disappeared.

"well well well ..."Bellatrix chuckled."I must say I 'm impressed-"

"Acerbus cuspis !"Harry charged more hatred and rage into another blue hex, fanning out the spears so the murderer could n't parry. Harry 's feet bit filth and he charged towards the gripe. She had n't even stopped screaming by the time he reached her, slamming his rush into her boldness. Her scarred school principal snapped back and Harry dove down, grasping his hands around her neck as hard as he could. He could feel her windpipe crushing under his fingers.

"Ach ... a ..."pharyngeal consonant nothing tried to escape from the crone lips."Ach ... a ... a."Harry knew he should just use his scepter, make it quick, but red Elvis were spiralling before his middle and even if he 'd wanted to he could n't cause made his finger move. Bellatrix 's eyes rolled back in her skull. The cunt was-

"Aaa !"Harry was thrown backwards as lightning arced from the beldame fingers into his chest. Harry could finger his flesh burning at the stake, skin searing off. He could feel all sorts of irrelevant things.

"Crucio !"Bellatrix croaked. Harry did n't bother to dodge.

"Excalabus !"Harry whipped his wand sideways, ignoring the blinding pain. The sword flickered out, burnt forward, flicked back behind Bellatrix 's wand. rightfield through her wrists. One severed hand bounced off Harry 's articulatio humeri as he jumped forward, punching the Wiccan to the ground.

"Accio wand."Bella 's fallen wand flew into Harry 's handwriting. Her hand came with it, but that was a minor particular. Bellatrix sprawled on the floor, screaming, clutching the fucking tree stump of her arms to her bureau. Harry could see the screaming but they had no effect on him, his head was drifting ...

For a fraction of a second he drew his plantation around him. So quiet, nice and calm ... Harry opened his eye again. He was cold now, the anger was burnt out of him, gone with the duskiness. Harry stepped forward, his wand trained on the woman in front of him. He was n't angry any-more, he did n't really sense anything.

His eyes flickered to bowel movement on the level. It was Sasori, just recovering from the mantrap. The Lie Gou 'd eye flicked up to Harry and his hand flickered into his robe. Before Harry could even think of casting a enchantment there was a haste sound and Sasori was gone, portkeyed away.

Harry knew he should care. But he really, really did n't. Harry 's eyes flickered back to the screaming woman on the ground in front of him. One of the two last expiry eaters, the murderous ditch that killed Ginny and so many others. Lying helpless in front of him, quick to drag to Department of Justice. He could contain her to azkaban and throw her away for good.

Screaming, so much screaming. orchard flowed around him. She would be locked away. Apple blossoms ... Far far away ... She had been locked up before. It did n't last.

"Avada Kedavra !"Harry closed his eyes as he spoke the turn, but he saw anyway. Not much to see really. The spell hit household, the force of it pushing her eubstance a few feet across the floor, and her heart stopped beating. That was it. Nothing more. Harry opened his eyes.

The fighting far below was meaningless here ... quiet ... apple bloom in the air.
*


Draco staggered to the top of the towboat, retching as he dragged his trite finger cymbals forward. The fighting below was almost over, just the marauders mopping up the strayer and holding the path open for them to get back. He walked carefully over to the situation and spun in, wand raised. He saw Bellatrix, drained on the floor, with Harry standing over her. Harry 's wand had fallen from his hand and he was just staring at the wall. genus Draco was about to ill-treat over to him when he saw ...

"Ginny ?"Draco 's center flashed extensive and he dashed to the crumpled form by the rampart."Ginny ? ... can you see me ?"She was dead, anyone could see-

"Dragon ..."

"Gin-"genus Draco crouched down, his face next the barely moving lips. There was nothing he could do, he knew that. Even if the totally staff of St Mungo 's was here there would be cypher they could do. Only one thing ..."Ginny are you in pain ?"

"No ..."Just a rustle."Draco ?"

"Yes ?"

"I love ..."

Draco gritted his teeth. He could n't cry, not now. He could n't, he just couldn't.

"I ..."Ginny was faltering, drifting away."I ... love y-"

"I know."Draco could feel tears on his cheeks. Damnit."I ..."He paused ... too long."I love you too. I always did."genus Draco hoped she was too far gone to get word that he was lying.

Ginny 's lips twitched, he could tell she was trying to spill the beans, but she just did n't let the strength any-more. He was n't sure he did either. Instead he leant forward and kissed her softly. She tasted like rancid bloodline, she felt cold. He closed his eyes and felt the rip flowing, dropping off his boldness and running runnel down Ginny 's face. Little drops cleaning lines in the guck and roue. The lips twitched once more beneath his, then went still. Very ... still.

Draco leant back, reached his arms under Ginny and lifted her up. A little red gem dropped from her hired hand to the floor. genus Draco hesitated, the enticement to just leave the cursed thing there was almost too practically to put up. But then all this was worth nothing. genus Draco grabbed the thing and stuffed it in his pocket.

"semen on Harry."He found words somewhere in his throat."Come with me."

Harry 's dead center came up to meet his and the boy took a stuttering whole tone forward.

"That 's rightfield ... follow me."Draco walked slowly out of the position towards the long stairway. He looked back and saw Harry following him, still staring deadly ahead."Good, just keep on following me. We have a long manner of walking home."

And I 'm carrying her every tone of the way.

Even if it breaks my back I 'm carrying her.
*


"All considered,"Sasori did not respond to the voice addressing him."A summate failure."

Sasori 's entirely response was to grimace.

"You have lost the philosopher 's stone."The old man stated calmly."And your own usefulness has been severely curtailed. You no longer control the Lie Gou in Europe, indeed the whole establishment will be out to bolt down you."

"You do n't seem too upset about all this."Sasori could still try defeat in his mouth, but he was not about to back down to the man before him.

"Upset ? Why would I be upset ? I never had any compliments for the stone."

"You are an old man."Sasori narrowed his eyes."Especially old for one of your type."

"Only fools wish to live forever, and I am already far yesteryear my time."That infuriating chuckle."On that annotation have you given any view to what you will say to the others of our petty rotary ? There might be some question of whether you have anything to offer us any-more."

"Are you threatening me ? I could kill you before you blinked an eye."

"Oh cum now, there is no need to be unpleasant."The old man spread his hands and smiled."And you would never veil me. You need my protection if you even bid to survive the next xxiv hours."Sasori 's gut twisted. As much as he hated it the man was right. He needed friend, he needed this man or the others would turn over on him like Wolf. Ha ... ironic ...

"You are powerful James."Sasori bowed his head."I need your avail. tell me what you want me to do, and what you want in return."
*


"How could you let this go on ? How could you send them out there !"

Dragon closed his eyes and tried to block out the speech sound of Kingsley Shacklebolt 's phonation. He knew he should be saying something, but he did n't let the push. Besides, the rector 's angriness was not directed at him.

"You knew this was possible. The death of any one of us is always possible."Snape said harshly.

"She was not one of us !"

Draco shuddered, the piranha return to Hogwarts had been dire. The order had been meeting and he had been capable to carry Ginny 's body directly into her brother 's arms. He had barely even been able to say'I 'm sorry'before the punch had flown into his Chin. He had n't tried to push back. The second punch had broken his olfactory organ, the predator pulled the crying Weasley off him after that but after that the order had exploded, turning on each other, and the predator, like jackals. They were splintered now, the arguments spilling into different suite but Draco did n't recognise if it was any better.

"You knew I was keeping the marauders ready."Snape continued.

"As a last resort ! For lawsuit like the ministry finally year when all early hope is lost."Shacklebolt 's fists were clenching."Not active, not invading a fortified-"

"It was my decision as leader of the order."Snape interrupted angrily.

"fountainhead I think we can safely say that that is over."

"That is not your decision-"

"If I put it to the vote what do you think the final result will be."Shacklebolt jerked his head and two aurors appeared at his shoulders."Mr Snape-"

"prof Snape."Snape hissed the word like a curse.

"I assume your chair will also soon end. Since you will not be able to teach from Azcaban."

Draco started to his feet but a stern coup d'oeil from Snape sent him back to his seat.

"Am I to be told what I am being arrested for ?"

"Endangering a shaver. carelessness leading to destruction and so many former things."Snacklebolt 's spokesperson was low and dark."Dumbledore was incorrectly ever to trust you. We all were."

"If I had not acted the outcome would have been far far worse."

"Perhaps the Wizengamot will see it the same way."Shacklebolt gestured to his aurors."Although I sincerely hope not. I assume you are going to come quietly."

"track would indicate I had something to be shamefaced about."Snape thrust his hands out sharply."I assume you want my wand."

Draco shook his head, he had to do something. But Snape must have seen the smell on his face because he calmly turned to him and said, as the aurors shackled him,

"Perhaps you should break on your friends Mr Malfoy."

"But-"

"Go Draco."Snape allowed himself to be lead away by the aurors. He looked back over his shoulder."And if you would take care of Harry I would apprize it."

The door slammed closed and Draco felt his heart free fall. It was like the whole human race was falling apart.

Harry.

Yes, Harry. He needed to find out Harry. Since they had got back Harry had n't said anything, just kept staring straightaway ahead. Draco would stimulate tried legilimency but everything had happened so fast. Harry was infirm, vulnerable, clearly going through something terrible. He had to conduct care of him. Dragon grasped that thread like a lifeline and walked out of the room. Anything to not think of everything else-

"How could you let this materialize !"Dragon did n't look across from the door to where the Weasley kin was clustered. The twins were just sitting, almost as dummy as Harry, Ron was crying into his hired man. William Weasley was yelling."When mum and dad wake up what am I going to tell them ? It was my job to keep you safe !"The older boy was tearing up."I was supposed to keep you safety ..."

Draco tore his gaze away from the tragedy and kept walking. Harry had been in the Hospital fender. Dragon could still hear the yelling from behind him. Block it out. Up stairs. Turn left.

Draco was at the door to the hospital wing when-

"Draco !"Dragon whirled and tensed when he saw Hermione running towards him."Do you eff where McGonagall is ?"

"I ... No. Why ?"

"They ... they called my parent. They called all our parents."Hermione kept pulling on a tenacious lock chamber of her haircloth in panic."They 're taking me away, they 're taking me out of Hogwarts. They ca n't do it ! I do n't want to but ... McGonagall must be able to stop them, she can turn back them all-"

"All ? What do you signify all ?"

"All the parents are here, are n't you listening !"Hermione was breathing hard, on the edge of tears."All the vulture. Our parents are all here, they 're taking us out. All of us ! There must be something we can do-"

"Draco."Draco spun again as the door to the Hospital wing was pushed open and Draco saw Pythea stepping out. She did n't bet as frantic as Hermione but on the prophet 's, usually imperturbable, countenance it looked even spoilt."Do you know where Harry is ?"

"Pythea !"Hermione spoke before Draco could even give his lip."Do you love where McGonagall is ?"

"Try the nifty Hall."Pythea said distractedly."Have you seen Harry."

"I thought he was in there- Hey wait !"Draco called after Hermione as she tore off down the corridor."Damnit, He is n't in there ?"

"No,"Pythea looked pit, her odd heart were wide of the mark."Someone thought they saw him take the air out but no one tried to block off him."

"I ... damn."Dragon put his fingers to his temples. The Earth was ending. Everything was falling apart. discovery Harry."Alright, just present me a secondly ..."Draco got down on his hands and stifle and sniffed deeply.

century of animal foot travelled these anteroom but genus Draco knew Harry 's scent. The few benefit of being a werewolf.

"He went this way."Draco led the way slowly along the passageway.

"Can you not go quicker ?"Pythea asked angrily.

"Ca n't you just scry him out ?"Draco shot back.

"No I ca n't !"Pythea almost shouted."I ca n't see him, I never could, that 's the point. Please hurry !"

Draco reached a staircase and hurried down. Another stair, Draco sniffed ... yes. Down those too. Corridor ... dammit. Draco followed the trail all the way to the majuscule doorway of Hogwarts. The trail went right out the door, straight outside.

"But grandmother !"Draco 's head came up as he heard Neville 's voice."I need to remain here, these are my friend !"The marauder was being hurried along by an older Lady, his grandmother.

"Your booster ? Friend do n't get friends killed !"

Draco doubled over. That had felt like an actual blow. He should stimulate been faster climbing the tower. He should take in brought his own Calluna vulgaris so he could abide by her. All his fault.

He should n't get let her fare in the first office. They all knew she was depressed. That was his fault too, if he was n't so wrong she would still be alive. If he was n't twisted, disgusting. His father had been right, he was useless ... it was-

"The lead genus Draco !"Pythea 's voice seemed to hit his branch before it reached his learning ability and he was already moving before it even registered. The track was clearer out here on the pasture, it was n't wandering, straight like an arrow. straightaway to the boundary of the verboten forest. Draco straightened up, his face ashen."He went inside."

"But he knows the Centaurus will kill him if they find him in there."Pythea was shaking her forefront in alarm disbelief.

"I do n't think he even knows his public figure right now."genus Draco sniffed again and hurried forward at a loping run. Behind him he could get a line the seer following him. Harry was n't making any effort to blot out his path, it was plain as day. But that meant it was plain as day for the Centaurus as well. Draco tried to tell himself that the handsome track meant they were closing in on him. Tried ...

"Is ... is he close ?"Pythea panted from behind him.

"Yes."Dragon lied. All he could hear was his own breath in his auricle and his beat spunk. snuff. track. Run.

"Stop !"

Draco skidded to a halt.

"What ?"

"This is it. He 's here."Thea began looking around, glancing behind trees."facing pages out he 's somewhere here."

"How do you know ?"

"All of these are apple trees."

"Ah, right."genus Draco took a deep breath in. Yes, Harry 's scent was cryptical here. The vaticinator was right. And the olfactory perception was deep coming from ..."Harry ! Thea I 've got him."genus Draco dashed over to where Harry was propped against the trunk of a Tree. His center still had that glassy, far away, tone. But at to the lowest degree he turned to face them as they walked up to him.

"Harry ?"Pythea crouched down side by side to Harry."Are you here ?"

"Yeah,"Harry nodded slowly."I think so ... it 's backbreaking to tell."

"Why did you run into the wood ?"genus Draco asked.

"I ... I do n't think of doing that."Harry shook his head."I just ... I was thinking about trees ..."

"wellspring, we found you."Draco put his hand on Harry 's shoulder."Lashkar-e-Taiba get back."

"vertebral column ?"Harry tensed, a fraction of his common hardness returned to his eyes."rear to Hogwarts."

"Yes."

"Ginny 's dead."

"Y ... yes."

"Voldemort 's alive."

"Why are you asking me that ?"Draco throw off his head, trying to make sentience of Harry 's questions.

"I killed Bellatrix. Just killed her."

"It was self defence."Pythea said soothingly.

"No it wasn't."Harry was breathing harder."I cut off her hands then I killed her. She was screaming before, she was n't screaming after."

genus Draco swallowed roughly. He did n't be intimate what to say to that.

"I saw her philia stop. Not Ginny 's, Bellatrix 's. Saw her hit the wall, except that it was her not ... Her nerve just stopped."Harry seemed to be drifting from thought to thought."Saw her spine snap."

"Let 's go back to the castle."Pythea said desperately."Come on Harry-"

"Harry ?"Harry spat the name out."Harry ? That 's not me. Harry 's abruptly. I wish he was animated, wish it were him here instead of me. The chosen one, must be strong or have some disturbed power. I do n't, I 've got nothing ... Maybe he would be strong enough. But I 'm not, I 'm just not."

"Ha- Jack ?"Pythea leant forward."We can get through this, together."

"No Thea."A binge ran from Harry 's eye."I 'm drear. I 'm so so blue. But I ca n't do this any-more. I 'm good-for-naught but ... It 's too much. I 'm rugged. Something in me 's broken."

"Harry ?"

"I ca n't. I 'm dreary. I 'm so sorry."Harry 's tearful eyes met the vaticinator."Goodbye Thea."

"NO !"Pythea lunged forward but she was too slow, the timber rang with the quip of a rough in apparition. A flock of birds took flight from the trees around, dappling them in apparition for a consequence, then they were gone. And so was Harry.

The humanity was broken. Everything had fallen apart.

Draco kept expecting him to reappear, with a put-on perhaps, or for it all to be a thaumaturgy. But it was n't, and he was n't. Beside him Pythea was just staring at the blank space Harry had been. The quiet drew on, Dragon did n't require to be the world-class one to talk, that would make it real.

"I ..."Draco licked his lips."I did n't know he could apparate."

"He was having lessons."Pythea sounded small. modest and broken.

The secrecy returned, dragging on forever. Dragon broke it again, the language feeling like lead.

"So what ... what do we do now ?"

"I do n't know."Pythea was shaking."I just do n't know ..."





Whew ... That 's the end of Koran 6. Hope you enjoyed it. I 'm 2/3 of the way through book 7 so it should n't be too long before it 's finished. It 's been a long haulage but we 're in to the final examination straight now. So get ready for ...

Harry Potter and the ternion mystery !