Have n't said this in a piece so I should probably mention. I do n't own Harry Potter. I 'm not sure of the specific legal fork of a type called Harry thrower but not actually the Lapplander 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 bring out it probably does n't matter.



It was a nice garden, the garden at Malfoy manor house. At one clock time the bushes were elegantly crafted topiary, a zoological garden of fantastic brute in fanciful poses, but they had been untended for a twelvemonth and now they looked just like crotch hair. Just here or there you could see a shadow of a tartar, the extension of a swan. It was like looking at clouds. The Grass had grown up too, tenacious blades that got between your toes. It was half wild but then that was good. It was a wonderfully peaceful place.

So why oh why had they nailed two bloody great quidditch end into it. Harry snorted, they were ruining the scene with their stupid game.

'' seminal fluid on Harry ! '' Ginny swooped down laughing. `` There 's a scanty Calluna vulgaris ! ``

'' right, the heather '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 last out down there on the Mary Jane like an old man ? ``

'' Just keep it quiet you hooligans. '' Harry laughed as Ginny rose into the sky again. It would have got been fun to go up and produce a mark of himself, make them laugh when he fell off. But if he ever wanted to get rid of the walking stick he would throw to let himself actually bring around. If he burst his guts open cypher would express mirth. fountainhead ... maybe the twins would.

Harry turned and stomped off across the grass, back towards the house. The sun was beating down like a hammer and Harry was sweating by the time he reached the wide gallery. He took a instant before climbing the stairs. Everybody knew he was recovering from his injuries but he did n't wish to let them know how strong some things were for him. bettor to just take a minute.

Harry stomped up the wooden stair and dropped into a folding deckchair. The whole veranda was new wood, tacked onto the vertebral column of the ancient mansion. The piranha had conjured and constructed the affair the number one day they got there, at Draco 's importunity. The untried Slytherin took an almost pathological pleasure in slamming beams into the ancient Malfoy mansion. It was all they could do to stop him using fifteenth century obelisk as nails.

The completely place had been transformed into a sort of marauder summer camp. All of them were there, at maiden they had just come during the day to string up 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 predator numbered twenty they were a good audience. Except when they did pointless things like drama quidditch or do homework. But at other times they were brilliant.

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

'' I ca n't tell. '' Pythea took a treat sip from a glass of lemonade. `` They seem to have released four dissimilar stoolpigeon so I do n't jazz how to score. ``

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

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

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

'' 12 I believe. ``

'' Seemed like more. '' Harry glanced up at the game flowing above the vast undercoat. Sixteen vulture were swooping and diving in the hot, idle, air. Like swallows. Harry envied them, not for the ability to fly, but for the assuagement from the heat that flying would bring. Harry brushed his sudor filled hairsbreadth out of his typeface and fanned himself with his manus. He turned to the girl following to him. `` How are you not sweating ? It 's like a strong day in Scheol. ``

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

'' You 're used to a floaty castle in the sky. '' Harry leant back to soakage in the rays. `` I however need some shade. '' Harry drew his verge and floated a standing umbrella over. It shook a little as it settled into situation. Harry frowned, his new wand was n't his front-runner. For one thing it was n't an Ollivander wand.

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

'' Out ! Out ! Wand-killer ! Get out of my store ! ``

'' But I just want- ''

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

Harry had been bundled from the shop by the scrawny old by-blow. As he fell backwards out the door, his cane clattering on the cobblestone, he had yelled.

'' I did also shoot down Voldemort you know ! '' But the door had been slammed shut in his face and he had gone back to the hall empty handed. Given that he did n't require to go to long without a scepter he had scrounged through the things taken from the captured death eater. 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 round handle. It was just sometimes a trivial ... finical. Finicky was the right password. He just had to get used to it.

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

'' Are you sure you ca n't say head anymore ? '' Harry smiled over at Pythea.

'' You were staring at it. ``

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

'' I do n't use one. '' Theia hovered her lemonade up above her hand by way or proof. `` I had a different kind of pedagogy. ``

'' Could you teach me ? ``

'' Do you have a few spare year ? ``

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

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

'' Oh eventually. '' Harry put his weapon system behind his head. `` I 'm in no hastiness. No wait, scratch that. Once they come we do n't have to take heed 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 inconvenience oneself asking her how she knew, this was a seer he was talking to.

Harry stretched out in his chairwoman and yawned. It was nice to consume an actual holiday again, no headache about Voldemort, no quest to set about. It was relaxing. Harry eased his injured leg into a more comfortable location. He needed relaxing. His leg and his breadbasket needed relaxing. His brain needed it too. Harry closed his eyes and sighed happily. Through his deception vision he could see Thea see over and smile fondly.

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

'' I do n't know what I 'd do there. '' Pythea tapped her finger against her glass. `` I would n't be a student and I could n't be a instructor. ``

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

'' Do n't even finish that time. '' Pythea shuddered. `` That thought is too horrifying to contemplate. ``

'' But well-nigh of all you can be close to the order in cause they need your arcane endowment. '' Harry wheedled. `` Your impressive arcane talents. Your awing and alone arcane gift. ``

'' Would n't I be closer here ? '' Pythea raised an eyebrow quizzically. `` Here in the decree home office ? ``

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

'' Harry ... ''

'' And besides. '' Harry smiled warmly. `` You never got a opportunity to be a kid. read this chance, derive to Hogwarts. Let the marauder show you how to give birth 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. ``

'' Stop it. ``

'' Ca n't. ``

'' And you call me a brat. ``

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

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

Peck, peck, peck.

'' Oh fine. '' Harry woke and cracked his neck. The owl was n't holding a varsity letter. `` Where are my bleedin resultant you stupid bird ? ``

'' Here Harry. '' Thea was sitting comfortably, holding a folded scrap of newspaper publisher in her hands.

'' The owl gave it to you ? ``

'' I 'm good with animals. '' Thea glanced down at the opus of paper. `` Do n't you want to cognise your final result ? ``

'' Not particularly. ``

'' No ? We could actually throw a situation 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.

'' little terror. ``

'' 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 final result out of her script. `` Charms O. Ok that works for me. defense force ... E. ''

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

'' Defeating dark Jehovah does n't own a written portion. '' Harry said indignantly.

'' Did you see the former results ? ``

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

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

'' The effect ! The results are here ! ``

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

'' Welcome to the predator. '' Harry said, over the ringing in his ears.
*


The following day they did the only matter traditional after receiving Hogwarts letter. The customary, almost pilgramigical, trip to Diagon Alley.

'' time lag why are you going ? '' Harry had asked Fred and Saint George. `` You 've had your last year. ``

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

'' What ? ``

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

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

'' Maybe. ``

'' What about you ? '' Harry turned to Book of Joshua Split. `` Why are you coming ? ``

'' I 'm drill. '' Was his succinct reply.

Harry shrugged. Fair enough. The Weasley parents were there as well of course of action. Harry knew that on some storey they disapproved of their nestling being soldiers in a war on eternal iniquity. Harry knew this, and could barely land himself to care. The war was effectively over for now, they were n't soldiers for now. Not for a few age at least. Harry shrugged, he would have got preferred if the marauders could go alone. organism parented after so long taking tending of himself was galling. Ah well, with so many marauders they could n't possibly keep tabs on all of them.

Harry shrugged and hoisted his cane. Ah well, time to do the back to schooling workshop. How very normal.
*


Harry dropped into a can in an ice-cream parlor. His left leg, and left arm were both killing him. He had never been more thankful that his bottomless bag absorbed the weighting of the books he 'd bought. If he 'd had to carry them the traditional way he might well be drained. It was n't even just the weight or the injury, it was the people. What had happened in the section of enigma was known to every wizard in Britain and probably a ripe number outside as well. Harry did n't know which ones were worse, the I that demanded an John Hancock like he was he was a bloody renown or the one 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 break off for ice emollient right ? '' Harry panted. `` We 're all stopping for ice ointment. Not because I 'm almost dead. Stopping for ice cream because we want to, not because I 'm a bloody shut-in. ``

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

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

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

'' I 'm wound. '' Harry held up his cane and put on a hangdog expression. `` War wounds. ``

'' brand up your mind. '' Draco muttered and shook his principal wryly as the predator pushed tables together around the one Harry had claimed. Harry just sat back and grinned. The rut had beat down harshly all day but now it was evening and the air was pleasantly cool off. Very peaceful. Harry wondered idly what he would do with a twelvemonth of peace. Probably go mental. Possibly get arrested. Without his lofty destination to justify his lawlessness he was liable to end up boot out. He might make to rein himself in a bit. Just a bit. It was unfortunate that he had no idea how to do that.

'' burnt umber and drinking chocolate. '' A cone was shoved into his bridge player by Padma.

'' What ? No waffle strobile ? ``

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

'' Ouch. '' Harry chuckled as the marauders pulled up professorship around the table. Despite her irony Padma pulled up the chair next to Harry. Theia sat down quietly on the former face. She was quiet with everyone but Harry still. For someone who had been one of the most powerful cleaning lady in the world she was remarkably shy. Harry opened his mouth to ask her something when he felt a tug at his sleeve.

'' Watch. '' Padma hissed quietly and cheekily. Harry 's oculus followed her sneak regard to the former incline of the mesa. Ginny and Draco were sitting at the far other side. As he watched Ginny held her ice ointment out to Draco, who bent to lick it and ended up with a smirch on his nose. Ginny laughed tawdry than it was natural to laugh at something so cliché and wiped the spot off with a nappy. The serviette brushed down genus Draco 's grimace just a moment longer than was necessity. With his magic eye Harry could even see Ginny 's heartbeat quicken. Harry turned to Padma.

'' And he still remains totally oblivious. '' Harry shook his head in skepticism. `` Does he experience some sort of empathetic blind-spot ? ``

'' Apparently. '' Padma snorted cynically. `` I think Ginny 's getting desperate. It 's almost embarrassing. 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 know. Skunk gall. ``

'' If he 's that oblivious he 's not worth it. By the way, if you want to switch some of the emollient for puke bile I 'm game. '' Padma grinned slyly.

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

'' She would attract attention though. ``

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

'' I 'm not a fortune teller Harry. '' Pythea said coldly. It was only the faintest twinkle 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. `` study tea leaves ? ``

'' Would that make for ? ``

'' Of course not. ``

'' Wait a minute ! '' Ron spun round from Pythea 's other side. Harry saw the prophesier parachuting in surprise but cover it a bit later. Ron had n't noticed. `` Tea folio do n't forecast the future ? ``

'' No. However could they ? ``

'' What about clouds ? Tarot cards ? Casting osseous tissue ? ``

'' I 'm blue Ronald none of those will afford you any insight into the future tense. '' Pythea answered calmly.

'' Then what have I been doing for the retiring three years ? ``

'' Making stuff up ? '' Harry suggested.

'' Well 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 years. '' Harry reached over and clapped Ron on the shoulder. `` It 's well deserved. ``

Pythea laughed lightly into her handwriting causing Harry to detect 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 tree and tea and stuff. ``

'' Harry it 's fine. '' Pythea seemed to reposition closer to him. `` I just do n't throw any money that 's all. I left Greece with zip and I 've been staying at the manor ever since you know ... ''

'' You should have said something. '' Harry held out his cone shape. `` Here. You 'll like it, umber is one of the three condom U.K. look, coffee ice cream however is dangerously experimental. ``

Pythea chuckled as she daintily licked a drop-off off the side of his ice emollient strobilus. 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 backtalk with her hand.

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

'' null. '' Padma 's eyes flickered to Draco and Ginny on the former side of the tabular array then back to him.

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

It was a totally fun and peaceable aspect. Harry should hold known it would n't last.

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

'' hullo Henry James. '' Harry 's oculus fixed on the old gentleman. Maybe it was his tonicity of voice but the marauder went still in a import. They went from laughing happily to teach as a drawn bowstring in an split second. Hands hovered near wands. Harry waved to them. `` Do n't concern guys, he 's not dangerous. He 's not even really here. Again. ``

'' A pity really. '' Saint James turned his pale, lined face to the sky. `` It looks like such a dainty evening. ``

'' Is it cold where you are ? ``

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

'' I 'm certainly singular as to who you are. '' Harry tilt forwards. `` Last time I followed your advice I was framed for murdering some death eaters. ``

'' A too bad event Mr Potter, but not my faulting. '' James spoke dryly and precisely. `` The selective information I gave you was entirely compensate. ``

'' Yes. '' Harry nodded towards the baker twins, both ( despite his intelligence ) looking set up to bounce. `` You told me that their father was targeted to be attacked so I do n't think you work for Voldemort. But that does n't mean you 're on the side of meat of commodity. ``

'' Good is meaningless. '' James said definitely. His crisp Oxford enunciation making the words seem even colder.

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

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

'' You 'd better lecture fast then. '' Harry 's fingers were gripping the side of his chair.

'' Voldemort will attack here. '' Was the wide-eyed response from the elderly kisser in front man of him.

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

'' love boy do you carry me to severalise you everything ? '' James smiled faintly. `` You would think that this would be enough. Just know that as soon as the moonshine rises about XX werewolves and at least as many mavin 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 board. `` Do you believe him ? ``

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

'' right wing. '' Harry turned to the concern looking Pythea. `` Can you fight if it comes to it ? ``

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

'' Ok, do n't take this the wrong way but if something happens you need to stay out of the way. '' Harry raised his deal to her articulatio humeri. `` Stay safe. '' Harry stepped back and waved the predator to the left field and right 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 crowd, some masses began to scrabble 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 sour consternation, just some idiot who thinks he 's funny, but I 've talked to the aurors and they think we should evacuate anyway. Just proceed calmly into the nearest shop and flue back to your home. No pushing, just please go domicile. Do n't vex about your friends up and down the street, we have the great unwashed warning them too. ``

Harry tried to keep a equanimity smiling face as he waved masses into away, nodding with an almost banal normality. He heard clattering footstep behind him.

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

'' What did the aurors say ? ``

'' I could n't reach them, the labial pipe 's blocked. '' Neville panted. `` I went through the back and tried the next shop. It 's down too. I think they all are. ``

'' What ? '' Harry spun to look at the shop class he had been waving people into. As he turned a cry went up and seemed to ripple along the crowd. Harry could here the cry of 'it 's not working, why is n't it working ?'. He felt is heart pearl. He spun and grabbed a man out of the crew. The man looked down at him in daze but Harry spoke right over him. `` Can you apparate ? ``

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

'' Try to apparate. ``

'' Is there a job ? ``

'' 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 articulation harshly, twisting his sceptre until he could feel his vocal corduroy twanging.

'' MARAUDERS ! THIS IS substantial ! GET EVERYBODY OUT INTO LONDON ! ``

Harry left Neville in tutelage and clattered back towards the leaky cauldron, his leg felt like it was on fire. The entry wall came into sight, closed. People were crowded up against it, clawing at the bricks like rats. Harry stopped, shocked.

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

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

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

"Confringo ! '' Harry aimed the condemnation at the center of the wall and blasted a fix in the masonry. He shot again and the wall fell in, crumbling into dust. Behind the wall a figure stepped forward, his boldness veiled by a rough out cloth and the residual of him covered in deep putting surface. That was what everybody saw. conjuration eyes saw more.

'' Get away from him ! '' Harry yelled, but he was too easy. The figure shot forward like a snake in the grass, his manus jerking into his wear and coming out with a thick bladed dagger. In one smooth movement the man was amongst the bunch. The knife came forward and Harry saw a spray of parentage. The knifeman spun and plunged the blade into the vertebral column of a char who had turned to run then Harry was knocked to the side by pressing bodies as the crowd stampeded away.

'' Let me through ! '' Harry yelled as he was buffeted madly. He could still see the knifeman in the cold blueness of his magic lot. The man was spinning randomly through the bunch, opening veins and cutting throats like the flick picture of liquidness last. Harry tried to push his way towards him but he was thrown back. `` Screw this ! Galbinus digitus ! Hammus missis ! ``

The vines on the rampart to his side expanded like a mad octopus, arching across the street. Harry had already cast a chain up to the putting surface arch and jerked himself up over the crowd. Swinging madly, barely in control, Harry was drawn through the air above the top dog of the writhing crew. Harry 's eye caught the knifeman and he let go, swinging his legs out, steel-toed boots coming up.

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

'' Stalagmite ! '' Harry jabbed his sceptre down and the cobbles exploded upwards in a protrusion spike, knocking the knife away. But the man was too tight his left hand dipped into his dress and came back with a thin wand before Harry could even stand. Harry had to roll away as a tearing net of razor threads came shooting towards him. He tried to brook 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 storey. Harry struggled to rise as Lucy and the two Bakers pushed through the endure of the crowd to get to him. Lucy grabbed his arm and he gratefully pulled himself unsloped. `` Are you alright ? ``

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

'' We tried to- '' Terry bread maker began to speak but a knife bloomed from his berm and he was thrown back into his sister blazonry. `` Aaaah ! ``

Harry spun with his wand out. Out of the cakehole in the wall were climbing three Thomas More green shrouded build. Harry 's eye buzzed through them and was more behind them. slews more.

'' Get him out of here ! Fall back ! '' Harry yelled. He twitched his wand at the level and swung it like a sword, growing a wall of gemstone out of the rough cobbles. Harry saw Anna baker shout as she dashed away with her bleeding brother at the same time as Lucy ran to resist future to him. `` I meant you too ! ``

'' I 'm not leaving you. ``

'' That 's hunky-dory, I 'm retreating too ! '' Harry hobbled backwards, his scepter trained on the wall. A blurred physique catapulted over the paries, spinning in the air. Harry 's wand flicked out. `` Ferio ! '' The hex struck the man in the air and he crashed to the floor heading first with a sickening crush. Two more followed him and Harry threw more piece, beside him Lucy was madly throwing curses. Harry could see the street behind the wall filling up with enemies. There were far more than the 20 James had warned about.

'' Difindo ! '' Harry raked his sceptre along the rump of the wall, forcing himself to brush off the three more warriors that had leapt over the top of it. `` Depulso ! '' His bulwark flew backwards along the street like a wrecking globe, sweeping the assailant back. Harry did n't let time to gloat as a Panthera leo made of fire leapt out of thin air and raked his arm with burning claw. He did n't nark to flame-freeze it, just blasted it out of the air and sent the fire back at the darkness flesh advancing up the street towards them.

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

'' Listen if you see a all-fired werewolf order me ! '' Harry yelled through gritted teeth as he smashed a pillar of ice out of the air. `` Until then I think I 'll care with the problem in battlefront of me ! ``

Harry blocked another curse but even as he did so two more whiz past him and hit the crew. He heard war cry of pain and torment. He could n't stop all of them. He could n't even stop most of them. This was going to be a bloodletting unless he could lay off it.

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

Harry 's eye swiveled up and he cursed. There were at least five shadowy figures dashing along the rooftops towards them, the sheer slope not even giving them pause.

'' Bloody hell who are these guys ? cross me ! '' Harry ducked behind Lucy as he jabbed his wand up at the zoster. `` Pinguis ! '' The tile suddenly gleamed like an oil slick and the track soma tumbled like skittles, skidding and scrabbling to find leverage before falling to the cobbles with a crunch.

Harry saw more trance coming from behind him and felt alike cheering as he saw five more marauders dashing to help out of the pressure crowd. Draco skidded to a period next to him and instantly had to enhance a shield to halt a spinning blade.

'' They 're attacking on the early incline too ! '' Draco yelled, his face covered with a sheen of lather. `` Ginny 's keeping them back but there 's nowhere for the gang to go. We 're between a hammer and an incus ! ``

Harry cursed even as his eye swirled in it 's socket and tried to focus to the former side of the crowd. No honest, too many people. But he could see while flaring up from the street beyond. Harry swore again and had to discharge off a desperate replication to a purple whammy hat hissed through the air like a snake. Harry swung his sceptre at the shops on either side of the street and yelled a magic spell. The glass in the windows shattered into knife-edge shards and tangle across the street like a scythe. Harry could hear the thud as it bit frame. It only gained them moment, new figure of speech appeared almost instantly, crouching behind their utter Comrade for covering fire. Harry used the time to erect the cobble in another wall but almost instantly it was struck with curse. Blasting away the Edward Durell Stone and leaving muddle for their foe to fire through.

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

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

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

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

'' It may be the only fortune ! '' Harry 's eye swivelled to rule the obscure English street. Some people were trying to get by down it but most were shying away. Harry 's eye focused further, further down the street ... `` Oh for the ... ! Werewolves ! wolfman in knockturn ! ``

But the cry came too late. They burst out of the darkness like a Wave of sweating hair's-breadth, cutting into the crew like butter. Whether there were twenty or fifty or more was impossible to severalise, they just seemed like one goliath raging savage. The screams came louder and louder, as did the howls.

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

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

'' Gon na have to ! '' Harry glanced back at the street, filling again with foeman. `` I ca n't affect fast enough to fight loup-garou. '' Harry summoned a wrecked table, ducked behind his makeshift shelter and jammed his wand to the cervix. `` GINNY SEND TWO OF YOUR PEOPLE TO KNOCKTURN bowling alley. loup-garou ! ``

Harry had no way to know if she had heard. He just had to go for. Ron and genus Draco could n't do it on their own. Harry 's eye whirled like a marble, trying to find some other way out. There was nowhere to hide out and every minute they waited hoi polloi were dying. His eyes found gleaming column of Andrew D. White marble. A monolithic building, defensible.

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

Harry was thrown to the story as his table exploded, showering him with knife acutely splinters. He felt one bound of his conjuring trick eye and shuddered to think of what it would give done to his real one. A knife spun out of the blue and cut a fade out of his arm.

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


Ginny abandoned the failing shelter of a doorway and dashed for a sight of debris. Spells zinged above her capitulum, too many to consider. She dove to the story and felt her skin tear as she slid behind her the bricks. The street was full of madness. Whoever the hell these guys were they were good. ameliorate than death eaters.

Heat. lashings of heat.

'' Ginny get out of there ! ``

Ginny threw herself forward before the mickle she was hiding behind exploded into bluish flame. She dashed back to the other marauders, spinning and casting spells at the shadows flitting towards them. Too many to count. Every doorway was a potentiality assailant. Ginny reached the marauder and gyrate in time to screen and weather a fire of quick-frozen blade. She heard the bunch behind her yell in pain. Whatever the marauders did it was n't enough. The multitude were getting into Gringots but not fast enough, the bunch was too immense and the doorway to the bank too lowly. Too many dying. Ginny steeled herself against the line. It smelled like a slaughterhouse. She wanted to vomit.

'' There 's no More cover. '' Hermione 's voice was shaking. `` There 's no Thomas More cover. ``

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

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

'' Then personal credit line up in front of most of the bunch ! '' Ginny yelled archly. `` You chose who you want to let die ! ``

Ginny ducked to the trading floor and shielded as strongly as she could as a barrage of magical spell knocked her spinal column. She did n't try to burn back. She had to use everything she had to keep the cuticle up. On either face 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 crowd was surging backwards, slowly seeping away. The marauders backed their wall to conform to them. Ginny tried to ignore the fact that every meter the gang pulled back revealed More bodies from under their feet.

'' Ah ! ! '' Ginny 's head whipped around at the companion scream in clip to see Cho downfall, her clothes burning with violet flame.

'' Hold the line ! '' Was the offset matter that came to Ginny 's backtalk as she dropped her carapace and infernal water onto the descend marauder. She dashed to Cho 's slope and grabbed her arm, hoisting the older girl onto her shoulder joint. She threw up a headlong shield that shattered instantly under the onslaught and was driven to her knees. Ginny summoned another shell and dragged her burden back, trying to ignore the fact that the arm draping over her berm was black with burns. Ginny 's psyche seethed with fury and she itched to drop her shield and flaming nighttime jinx at the foeman before her. But she could n't. Wand shaking in her hired man she kept her slow retreat, her mind recoiling at every charm that slipped through.
*


The black bulwark of rage just kept coming. The werewolf were mad with moonlight, they did n't even care when they were burnt or bled. You had to cut them down. The cobble were slippy with blood and viscera.

'' Difindo ! '' Dragon flicked open a spurting gash in the neck of a snarling wolf, screeching howls of pain went up. He blocked them out. He glanced behind him, the crowd was squeezing back into the bank building like a living thing, they were almost all interior. The vulture were almost back to the entrance now, one wall of defensive attitude shields, one wall of aggressive firing Death. He could see Harry breaking monster glob of road to fling like wrecking balls.

'' Draco duck ! ``

Dragon did n't even guess, he just slammed himself to the base. Green light blasted above his nous. That was not a loup-garou ! Draco rolled to his pes, wand out. In amongst the werewolves were loping figures, wands out and firing. black shrouds of tattered robes around them. Killing curses one after another and another blasting out. They did n't even seem to care if they hit the piranha, the werewolf or one of their own.

'' These are n't the Lapplander as the ninja bozo ! '' Anapurna screamed, ducking into a room access to nullify the storm of expletive. Draco stabbed his wand forward.

'' Incendio ! '' A cloaked figure burst into flaming but kept coming. Draco cursed and took aim at a mantled school principal. `` Reducto ! '' The head exploded but the soundbox kept lurching forwards.

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

'' Back up ! '' Dragon desperately waved the marauders back. He stumbled backwards, zippo could give people this magnate, this was insanity. A hallucination or else a fever dream. Dragon dashed across the lame away, there was no holding back these creatures. There were still people in the street ! genus Draco ducked behind a flaming werewolf carcass but there was little period, there were enemies all around now. The predator were being pushed back, the green-clad assassins coming from left and the right way and the wolfman and impossible warriors crashing in from the front.

genus Draco screamed as his arm was engulfed in flame and extinguished it with his arm. He shot a curse down the street at a shadow but missed. They were losing. A benighted shape loomed over him and he spun, too slow. The robed image fell on him and he felt steely-cold hands grab both his limb. With an cold-blooded specialty he was held to the flooring. The tough came up and Draco felt his centre go wide with fear.

The face had rotted away.

"Fulgar Fletch !"The corpse above him was thrown backwards as a cloud of knives sliced it to ribbons. A second swarm reduced it to flayed meat and the rotting husk fell to the basis in spell. `` Get up Draco ! ``

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 knife leapt into the air again, each growing a set of dragonfly backstage and darting forward to slice another shuffling embodiment to ribbons.

'' We ca n't kill than but we can rip up them ! '' Harry yelled, standing in plain sight like he was daring the thing to try to kill them. `` We just need to hold for a few more than crashing seconds ! ``

Draco dashed back to the marauder line, spinning and sending flaying curses behind him at the pursuing creatures. In figurehead of him he saw Ron struck in the side, with what he could not tell. Draco dashed to help oneself him but the cobblestone between them exploded into razor penetrative shrapnel and he was driven back.

'' Just a few more seconds ! '' Harry appeared out of nowhere, one arm gripping his cane like a vice, the early moving in a blur of charm molding. Ron was lifted from the base and flew towards Gringots, Harry had n't even been looking at him. `` A few More ! '' His arm was caught with the bound of a oath and he was spun off his foundation, 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 vocalization shouted out. `` Everyone interior ! ``

genus Draco 's feet skidded on the sett as he dashed for the footstep of Gringots. He shielded as a curse winged towards him and had to hustle out of the way of a killing oath. Ginny 's marauder were holding the product line for just a import longer, giving the relief of them a chance to get in. Draco powered up the tone and spun when he reached the door, firing swearing as fast as he could. Harry was the only one left out there, slowly backing up the stairs with his wand out.

He ca n't mount stairs ! Draco realized with repugnance. But just as the view hit him Harry spun and fired a chain up past the subscriber line of fighters. Harry flew like a firework into Gringots, falling to the marble floor.

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

genus Draco did n't need Ginny 's shouted mastery, his feet were already skidding him backwards. The profound threshold were slammed shut on his heels. He could hear whammy sparking against the wood and cracking stone.

'' Colloportus ! '' Harry was back on his animal foot and pointing his baton at the door.

'' Will that support ? '' Draco asked, his breath 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 break the building. `` Raise walls across the floor to inject out of. And get all these mass down into the tunnel ! ``

'' Mr Potter you can not give orders here ! '' A goblin appeared from nowhere, his eyes flinty. `` You had no right hand to imply Gringots in superstar business ! ``

'' It was the only was to economize these hoi polloi. ``

'' That is not my job. '' The hob snarled. `` Leave now or we will spread out the door and let those multitude in. ``

'' Listen shorty. '' Harry grabbed the hobgoblin by the neck and lifted him off the level. He was instantly surrounded by a group of armed goblins. Each of them was pointing what looked like a crossbow at him. They did n't look glad however as they were quickly surrounded by a larger mathematical group of gird wizards. 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 less. '' The goblin twisted out of his grip and dropped to the floor.

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

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

'' These people have news report. They have vaults. '' Pythea spoke quickly. `` By law if they request to access their vaults you must let them. ``

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

'' I do n't think they 're listening to you. '' Harry said to the hob, over the roar. `` And besides, if they get in here do you think they 'll stop at killing the human race ? ``

'' You ... homo. '' The goblin spat the last intelligence before disappearing into the crush of people. A moment later the building shook like a Vanessa Stephen. Harry spun and looked towards the door, he groaned.

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

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

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

'' No. '' Harry glanced around at the vulture desperately boarding up windows with anything they could find. He shook his top dog, 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 believe 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 tell. '' Pythea shook her head. `` Miss Yangtze River has been burnt, I have done what I can for her. George III Weasley was exsanguinated, I have spliced his circulatory system to his Twin and they should pull round for a piece. Book of Joshua Split can not walk and I have no idea what is awry with him. He can speak but he does n't seem to be aware 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 side of the bank. Harry spun and dashed over to where Hermione was peering out a small gap left in the bottom of a window.

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

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

'' Hold on ... '' Harry let his eye focussing out through brick and plaster, then cursed. `` There are three citizenry in there. small fry. They 're trying to hide in the basement. They 're failing. ``

'' What ? ``

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

'' What do we do ? ``

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

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

'' The werewolves will, '' Draco said dully. `` They 'll track 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 get out them off. ``

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

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

'' Me ? ``

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

'' What about those three tyke. '' Hermione pointed out the window again.

'' If someone gets up to the cap 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 dispense with more hoi polloi. ``

'' They 're children ! '' Hermione protested.

'' So are we ! '' Harry shouted back. `` And so are half the people huddling in the tunnels right now ! Why do you suppose they picked the day after the Hogwarts letters to assault ! We need to save as many people as we can. '' He stumbled as the construction was rocked with another good time. The I. F. Stone around the door was beginning to buckle. Harry swiped his wand along the floor to clear a distance. He pointed down at the marble.

'' Koupa ! '' The endocarp bent into a grave bowl. `` Ginny, Vanessa. Get in. ``

He waited while the two girls huddled into the makeshift shelter then hovered it off the floor.

'' You ready ? ``

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

Harry raised them to the level of the window, then drew them back. With a flick of his wand the two marauders were thrown out into the street in their stone cradle. Spells chipped and blazed against the marble but Harry held it as a carapace for the two girl, anchoring it to the ground. The rest was up to them.

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

'' 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 window 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 blank space ! '' They scattered and Harry began raising melodic phrase after billet of wall as defence. He drew lines of impale telegram in front of the threshold and disillusioned it. Hopefully they would n't observe 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 safe friends out to die because I ca n't do it. '' Harry 's own voice sounded bitter in his pinna. `` But I 'm sure as hell 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 tax shelter, jerking her question back as a shower of spells bit chunks out of the floor.

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

'' Maybe this will mold. '' Ginny raised her baton up to her arm, where she was covered in descent and soaked the tip of her sceptre in the oozing liquidness. `` Oderifer. '' Red mist floated out from her wand, pooling about them. `` Tempesto ! '' The blood mist drifted out towards the loup-garou. There was a long minute 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 werewolves bearing down on her. Her feet scrabbled on the sett but was moving, blitzing it down diagon alley.

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

Ginny put all the muscularity she could into her aching legs and pounded away from the brute, barely keeping up with the little sylph of a girl disappearing ahead of her. Vanessa looked over her shoulder,

'' Ginny duck ! ``

Ginny did n't even guess, she just let her legs crease under her, falling like a stone. The a savage flashed over her prone body and crashed to the floor. genus Vanessa stunned it before it had a chance to rise. Ginny scrambled to her invertebrate foot but she could n't move 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 painful sett but the pressure on her leg was still there. She looked down and started in revulsion as she saw a bloody and rotting arm dangling from her ankle joint. She kicked it off and jumped to her ft, ignoring her injuries.

wellspring they had wanted the monsters to surveil them. At to the lowest degree it had worked. Even if they did n't make it.
*


Draco slid out of the windowpane and pulled himself over the flower of the ceiling to blot out on the other side. He tried to peck good footing as he hurried along the roofing tile. One lamp chimney ... two chimneys ... he was looking for the seventh theatre. For a present moment Draco wished he had Harry 's eye but pushed the thought away. That way of thinking steer to unfortunate paths.

sevener chimneys. genus Draco put his ear to the roofing tile and heard zip. Damnit.

cover in front of the bank he heard a horrific howling go up. Ginny must have got the wolves attention. sound, at least one of them was doing their job right.

Draco tried to call up of a way to break through the tile without causing too often noise. Silencing charm. Draco cast it and blasted the soundless tile away with a reducto. The space below was dark. He leant down, lighting his wand. The twinkle seemed swallowed by the inky darkness.

Suddenly the tiles by his legs erupted and he felt his stage dragged back. He fell like a stone through the roofing tile and landed on his rachis with a lightning thrust of pain. He kicked as punishing as he could and dig his baton at the dark shape clutching his leg.

'' Confringo ! '' The number 's pectus exploded, raining Draco with pinched shrapnel. He felt a stabbing pain in his chest. Through the hurting his eye caught campaign by the stair. He rolled just before gullible brightness level obliterated the floor where he had fallen.

'' Confringo ! '' The explosive curse seemed the best weapon against these abruptly thing. genus Draco pulled himself to his foot and stumbled to the stairwell. He heard a scrabbling and stunned a werewolf as it put it 's matted head around the bend.

genus Draco was breathing hard. He put his manus to his chest and felt a long sliver of bone stabbed into him. Perfect. With his baton held out shakily, genus Draco slowly made his way down the stairs.
*


They were almost to the Cauldron, Ginny could see it come out around the bend. Vanessa was dashing beside her, her center wide with fear. Ginny vaulted over the nap of rubble from the wall and spun with her scepter out. They were so ending !

'' Reparo ! '' The bricks flew together madly, Ginny willed them to come together faster than the animate being were moving. 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 figure out faster. A clothe name slammed through the bricks and pounced on Vanessa, throwing her to the flooring. genus Vanessa screamed with horror.

The wall was n't fixed yet !

Keeping her baton trained on the bricks Ginny darted over and slammed her foot into the back of the garmented soma head. It did n't even seem to feel it. She kicked again, crashing her foot into the fauna 's hide face. There was a repulsive crush and the head snapped back, hanging by strips of pelt. The finis brick slammed into billet and Ginny whirled.

'' Depulso ! '' The thing was thrown off genus Vanessa. `` Difindo ! '' She slashed her verge like a blade and fetted stock spurted out, filling the air with a rotten olfactory perception. She slashed again, taking off first one arm then the other, then finally the legs, collapsing the perfectly thing into a twitching lot on the floor. Ginny stumbled to the sewer and vomited.

'' Vanessa ... '' Ginny spoke between sickening swig. `` Are you alright ? ``

Vanessa did n't speak, she was staring at the mess of blood-soaked gown and torso parts, her dark centre wide.

'' Why did n't you fight him ? '' Ginny straightened up. `` Did you draw a blank everything I taught you ? ``

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

Ginny felt her profligate freezing. She walked over to the torso and gingerly lifted the tough off with her verge. She stumbled back and was almost gruesome again. There was nothing there but a stack of line of descent and broken os. Her kick had stove in the rotted off-white and left the typeface looking like rancid mince.

'' It ... '' Ginny wet her lips. `` It might have been your beginner once, but it was just ... undead. He was n't animated anymore. ``

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

Ginny reached out a hand to console her classmate but realized she had goose egg to say. She turned to the wall and pointed her baton at the small tobacco pipe at the base.

'' Oderifer. '' There was plenty of blood already on her wand and the red mist floated out and down the pipe. There was an instant set of muffle howls from the other side. That should keep the werewolf and perfectly men off Harry 's back for a while.

And give Draco a chance to live. Maybe.

What was that ! Ginny whirled, wand out, towards the Leaky Cauldron. She was for sure she heard something from interior. Aurors ? Not even the most optimistic of wishful thought could persuade her of that.

'' Vanessa, stop here. keep open the spell going. '' Ginny motioned to the other marauder without looking and slowly stepped towards the doorway. The doorway was off it 's hinges but she could see nothing from inside, just broken tabletops and a bar full of slopped glass. She stepped to the edge of the door and peered around tentatively. There were physical structure. But she had seen too many of them today to be horrified. Wait ... two of the bodies were green robed like the assaulter, slumped over a board. Ginny slowly stepped into the darkened pub and checked around. There did n't appear to be anyone go forth alive. She stepped up to the two corpses and slowly drew their hoods back. Dull vitreous centre stared back at her out of faces twisted in pain. They had both been stabbed brutally and repeatedly, the second still had the knife embedded mystifying in his neck.

These two had probably been left as a guard duty, but who had killed them ? Did the orca just go away ?

Ginny 's blood froze as she remembered why she had come in here originally. She had heard a noise. Thinking back, it could have been someone dissapperating. But that meant that this place was outside the wards ! Ginny dashed towards the fireplace and grabbed a generous handful of powder. The green flame that sprung up were the most brilliant thing she had ever seen.

'' Ministry of deception ! Auror 's government agency ! ``
*


'' Confringo ! '' Draco 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 control surface of the shield and it was thrown backwards. Draco dropped it and stunned the beast.

Where were the rest ? Where were the children ? These thoughts 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 spiral Harlan Stone step and started down them, leaning his blooded trunk against the wall.

As he neared the bottom a door came into view. Before the room access were two of the dead thing, slamming their rotting body against the wood. As Draco approached they turned to face up him. One set of glowing red eyes and one of empty-bellied rotted sockets.

'' Confringo ! '' Draco ducked back into the stairwell as the first off creature exploded and retreated further as a onslaught of killing nemesis came flying down the Stone hallway. Draco waited for a gap to spin out from around the corner. `` Confringo ! '' The s wildcat disintegrated into shrapnel. Draco felt his bad arm explode with pain but did n't calculate down. He stumbled to the wooden door and slammed his fist against it.

'' I 'm homo. '' His phonation sounded thick and painful. `` Let me through. ``

The curl clicked and the threshold swung in. Draco 's legs gave out and he fell in. He kicked the doorway closed and glanced into the colored basement. Three shining sets of eyes looked back at him from petite frames. None of them could have been older than four. They were in pyjama, already ready to be tucked in when all perdition broke loose.

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

"Just quell quiet."Dragon dragged himself to his feet and trained his wand on the door."Stay very quiet."

Above him there was the sound of a dull blowup. The doors of Gringots had finally fallen.
*


Harry was thrown backwards and rolled to his feet. A melanize shape landed in front of him, long knife raised. Harry slammed his cane straight up into his attacker's genitals and kicked the man's peg out from under him. Harry raised his sceptre to finish the job but another fig darted at him, verge out, out of the dust. Too ready ! Harry stumbled backwards as he fenced with flashing ignitor against his attacker. The man was too bloody quick ! The bastard jabbed in with his forget hand and Harry felt a gash open along his ribs. Do not let them get close !

"Excalabus !"Harry slashed out and saw shock in his attackers eyes as the polishing sword clove him in two. But his first aggressor was back up and raging for blood.

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

"Ferio !"The spell was blocked but it had given Harry time to stagger backwards. They were coming faster now. Spilling through the fracture room access too fast to count. Harry was driven back by a barrage of spells and ducked behind a barricade, only to ingest it blow up in a mass of marble gravel.

"Atrax !"Harry swept his wand across the junk, every shard grew spindly legs 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 entry. He fired off a spell and thirty came flying back. The bother in his chest was back. Harry looked down to see his shirt drenched in origin. His or other peoples ? Both. Harry could see through the textile to where his skin had been flayed off in Brobdingnagian chunks by his attacker's nemesis. aught he'd seen before. Who the hell were these guys ?

The sound of other marauders desperately fighting raged in his ears. They couldn't do much, there was too practically debris, to much topsy-turvyness, for them to see who they were firing at.

waiting ...

"Tempesto !"Harry slammed his favourite magical spell to life and whipped a gale to life story, the detritus and rubble was thrown away and the creeping motherfucker were shown to the world.

"Stubefy !"

"Confringo !"

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

"Stubefy !"Harry stunned a charging ninja and levitated him up block. Harry darted out from behind his pillar. Three daggers instantly slammed into his human shield. sodomist. Harry dropped the dead weight and dropped to the floor, skidding across the wet marble. He grabbed Neville's leg and yanked him out of the sacking line, throwing a mountain range to drag them both back to the roadblock. Harry dropped him there and darted back to his place by the pillar.

Harry heard a wow and saw a gush of stock. Who was it ? No clock time ! Harry swung out from his hiding place and sent a tempest of lighting into the mass of attackers. His mainstay was struck with a condemnation. There was a haste sound and it began to shine from rapidly spreading crevice ...

Harry shielded in panic but it barely dulled the force when the column exploded from within, throwing him across the room and slamming him into the rampart. His arm shattered and pain overwhelmed him.

Occlumency ! Come on !

Harry blanked his thoughts for all he was worth and, with agonizing subnormality, gained control of his intellect again. His arm was broken, shattered like a rod of trash, and hung limply at his face. The wound in his stomach had broken open and was gushing rip. Could he raise his wand ? Could he even raise his baton ?

"Harry !"Harry could see a bloodstained Hermione hunched over him, shielding him desperately. She grabbed his arm and dragged him back behind the last standing roadblock."Can you suffer ?"

Have to. Harry tried to rise but fell back. There were only two vulture left fighting and Harry wasn't arrogant enough to count himself in that number.

Not enough. Not decent left.

They were finished.

Harry grimly gripped the top of the roadblock and raised his wand. There were only three pillar left standing. If they went ... It he destroyed them ... They could at least save the citizenry below. And maybe mortal would dig their corpses out of the rubble.

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

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

"Wh ..."Harry's eye flickered around, nothing was moving. Nothing but the predator and the groaning wounded."Wh ... where did they go ?"Harry's mind tried madly to process that. It seemed like they had been fighting for his entire life. His eye cycled out. Out beyond the rampart. Black gown. But the good sort. He could clean out Ginny and genus Vanessa's low flesh out in the middle.

"The aurors are here."Harry struggled to his feet. Leaning against the wall he could almost do it."They came. About bloody time ..."

blackness drained back into his judgement and he fell back into associate unconsciousness.
*


genus Draco pushed the basement door outdoors gingerly.

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

"Shut up."Dragon muttered.

"Are they gone ?"

"Shut up."Draco slowly made his way forward, wand out in one hand, the other pressed against the wall for living. The bodies were gone. Was that sound or bad ? Everything was bad.

"Is it safe ?"

"I told you to shut-"Draco bit off his furious admonition. They were too young and their parents were probably dead. Give them something."I think it ‘ s safe. Let ‘ s go. stop behind me. And remain quiet."Draco dragged his understructure up the corkscrew stairs and stopped at the top. He could see voices from outside. Someone was yelling orders. Aurors. Finally the bloody ministry.

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

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

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

"look out !"

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

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

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

The black robed wizards stopped a few metre away, their script on their wands.

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

The children took a stuttering whole tone away from him. The Old spread his weapon system as if to protect the other two.

"What ?"

The aurors surrounded him, their verge 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 bunch, her hired man to her mouth, her oculus wide with horror.

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

Draco's optic dropped to his arm, to the bleeding wound. The bite fool. Red and blazing like writhing cursed flaming. A werewolf bite. The pain of all the former wounds faded away, everything else was gone.

"Damnit."Draco whispered falling to his knee joint."Damnit."



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


I do n't own Harry thrower. I own ... this piece of volaille. So ha !



Harry came to on a copestone. How longsighted had he been out ? The sky above was gear black. They had n't even moved him from Diagon alleyway, Instead he was lying in a job of the bloody and mauled, a rail line of white-sheeted and red-stained victims in a triage tent. His eye told him it had been set up barely a Harlan Fiske Stone stroke from the decrepit bank. All around him healer bustled between screaming patients, their wands flickering a desperate dance to keep back essence beating.

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

"Lie back down."A nursemaid bustled over to him."You could still have interior bleeding."

"I don ‘ t."Harry's eye rolled back in his head."Trust me."Harry limped out of the tent into the unresolved air. Aurors were hurrying around purposely and Harry thought he saw fellow member of the club as well. There were bodies laid in rows with sheets pulled over them, a lot of bodies.

Harry cursed, he needed to encounter someone he recognised, someone who could recite him what was going on. A friendly order extremity, a familiar auror. A Marauder ? Harry tried to happen one ... no skilful. Hopefully that meant they were safe. He couldn't see any of them among the dead. Unless they were one of the ones too burnt to recognize. Harry felt a lump ascending in his pharynx and squashed it down.

"Mr Potter. Good to see you ‘ ve recovered."Harry turned slowly, and looked up into the harried face of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Why are you here ?"Harry asked bluntly."Aren ‘ t you acting, temp, interim minister for magic ?"

"If I wasn ‘ t here I would be back at the ministry giving Order to abandon 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 put up aside as a body was levitated out of the tent. The healer carrying it laid it carefully at the end of the row of deadened and conjured a sheet before hurrying back into the triage center. Shacklebolt shook his straits."So many dead. More than we lost in any one attack in this war or the last. And I can not even think of what the losses would throw been if you and your friends had not been here."

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

"You 're friends are alive Harry. Every one of them."Shacklebolts rumbling spokesperson dropped a tar to a openhearted cardiac murmur."But every one was injured. Some quite badly. I can not say how deeply in debt the wizarding public is to you and your circle of friends."

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

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

"Why isn ‘ t he at St Mungos ?"

"There was nothing more they could do for him."Harry noted the minatory short letter in Shacklebolts voice. unfortunate person possibilities.

'' Tell me everything. ``
*


Harry pushed open the wide front door of Malfoy residence and stepped into the marble foyer. It was totally silent inside these rampart but Harry 's eye found motility. He made for it, his jury-rigged staff tapping on the Harlan F. Stone floor. The halls and rooms that had held Quaker all summer now felt dusty and desolate.

Under a removed door Harry saw light and made for it, though his eye was already telling him it was n't who he was looking for. Harry pushed the door heart-to-heart carefully and slipped inside. Snape was stood before an array of caldron and beakers, all bubbling away and leaking fumes. Natalie Zhao was there also, leafing swiftly through a thick volume.

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

'' I think best when I am brewing. '' Snape did n't look up from his work but Harry could see the slim line of tensity around his oculus. 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 guess the potion anyway.

'' wolfsbane ? ``

'' Yes. '' The stemma grew a micrometer sharper.

'' So you 've heard. ``

'' Yes. ``

'' I was trying to retrieve him. ``

'' He is asleep. You should let him to stay on so as he will likely get lilliputian rest tomorrow nighttime. There is no clip to give him a broad coarse of Wolfsbane potion. What I am brewing now will merely pall the jagged border of his inevitable insanity. ``

'' How could this happen ? '' Harry hung his brain. `` Should n't bear let them do it. ``

'' It is my understanding that they formed this ground forces in your absence. '' Snape glanced up at him before dropping his gaze back down to his piece of work. `` I believe every phallus knew the risk of infection they were taking. ``

'' They did n't acknowledge the risks. '' Harry almost squabble. `` death 's just a Holy Writ public treasury 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 baby kitten, you told me that. ``

'' Clearly I was mistaken. '' A snap of loony toons entered the Professor 's vox. `` The darkness lord seems to consume capableness none of us do it. ``

'' 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 living dead too, I at least understand what they are. But those other guy cable '' Harry shook his head. `` They were never death eater. The enchantment they used, their hale elan of fighting. I 've never seen it before. Do we have it off who the Hell they were ? ``

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

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

'' It is. '' Zhao nodded.

'' well who the hell are they ? ``

'' Mercenaries. '' Snape hissed the Holy Writ, like it was a curse.

'' Thomas More than mercenary. '' Natalie corrected. `` The Lie Gou are one C old, they take novice from all over easterly Asia. They are incredibly skilled. They are also feared, and rightly so. The hiring a troupe of them has been the tipping dot in more than than one war. They are remorseless, entirely so. ``

'' How would Voldemort reach Taiwanese mercenaries ? '' Harry scratched his head.

'' They have factor houses in many metropolis. '' Zhao said with plaguey calm. `` That is not the most apt interrogation. ``

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

'' How did he pay for it ? ``

'' The Lie Gou are expensive. '' Snape explained, his centre peering down into a pool of simmering liquid. `` There is a famous tale about two twin blood brother, the heirs to a vast the three estates in Soviet Russia, C ago. When their founding father died they both took half the wealth and tried to claim the other one-half also. There was a individual war between their armsmen until one brother hired the Lie Gou, wasting a prominent part of his inheritance. That incline had almost won when his brother offered the Lie Gou more money to switch sides and the fight raged the early way. This went on until both blood brother were penniless, the demesne reduced to a wasteland, and the Lie Gou growing fat on the hurt. ``

'' That is just a legend. '' Zhao rolled her eyes. `` But it does demonstrates both the vast monetary resource needed to hire the Lie Gou and their fickleness with regard to who 's face they fight on. They will also only take real riches, nix conjured or created by magic. Gold or jewels, and many of them. Only a rich idiot would engage them. ``

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

'' Which we know the dark Maker can not have access to. '' Zhao snapped her book closed angrily.

'' You have no estimation what the shadow lord has accession to- ''

'' And you do because- ''

'' Hey ! '' Harry slammed his staff against the story. Two sets of optic flashed to him. `` Have a lovers spat on your own prison term. distinctly Voldemort does have the resource or I would n't have spent this pleasant summer evening being shot at, my gut would n't feel like it had a spear up driven through it and a lot of innocent people would n't be DEAD ! Now I have the ceramist family gold and we can probably count on the Malfoy riches as well. Is it possible we can just buy these people off ? ``

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

'' If it 'll bar them working for Voldemort. Um ... Yes. '' Harry stuck his hand on his hip. `` Would that mold ? ``

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

'' Yes, I got the full point of your instructional fable. '' Harry snorted. `` How can we contact the Lei Gou ? ``

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

'' I may be able to find it ... '' Harry bit his lip. It was a yearn shot but he knew where he could find information."cobbler's last year I had some contact with .... disreputable type. Maybe one of them ‘ ll know where we can get in contact with the Lie Gou."

'' Harry, '' Snape had rounded the table and was standing in movement of him. `` You must swear to me that you will not go to deal 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 component house. ``

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

'' Do not say affair you do not signify. '' Snape said coldly. `` We both well know the departure between myself and Albus Dumbledore. ``

There was a moment of silence. Inside his own promontory, Harry gulped. Since he had found out the truth and issue forth to peace with it he had n't though about his unfeigned origin much. It was very easy to just think of himself as Harry Potter. Very easy to slip back into that mitt. organism reminded of it was jarring, like being hit with the verity all over again. Harry shook it off. It was better to commend, not that he would ever really forget.

'' I know. '' Harry tried to spend a penny his vocalism 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 board. Harry took a deep breathing place and tried to cerebrate of anything else to add, but his tired mind kept coming up blank. Thankfully Snape had something else to ask,

'' Other watcher said they saw the numb men fire piece ? '' Snape asked. His vocalization said the question was almost fiddling, but Harry saw Zhao perk up at the words.

'' They were n't suddenly. '' Harry 's mouth was dry with the memory.

'' Explain. ``

'' Their hearts were beating and they were breathing air. They may have been rotten but they were at least partially alive. And yes, they were casting patch. ``

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

'' In amongst mean nothing to me. '' Harry tapped his eye. `` The utter men cast spells. Well ... one spell really. The killing curse over and over, but I saw one levitate a chair out of his way so they are capable of casting early spells. ``

'' That is not possible. '' Zhao shook her foreland. `` Neither automaton nor inferi can perform magic. And neither have flash. It 's ... impossible. Magic can only be performed by living creatures, that has been proven over and over again, you must have sprightliness. What you describe is impossible. ``

'' Clearly it is n't. '' The bound of irritability was back in Snape 's voice. `` Clearly the shadow Jehovah has many capabilities we know not of. The question is why have we not seen them before ? ``

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

'' I have already sent social club members to insure the Stephanie Graf of known death eaters. They have club to exhume and fire any dead body they find still resident. '' Harry nodded, he had been about to suggest that. Snape continued, `` Other than that ... we must find the dark lord. ``

'' Call him Voldemort. ``

'' No. '' Snape snapped.

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

'' Some veneration is healthy. '' Snape tapped a tenacious flatware spoonful with his wand and set it to circle slowly in his bubbling pot. `` Especially now that we know he has capacity far greater than we ever imagined. What I can not translate is how he has recovered so swiftly from his accidental injury. ``

'' Maybe he has n't. '' Harry shrugged. `` He can channelize troops and buy soldier of fortune even if he 's just a floaty heading, or a disembodied spokesperson. ``

'' He would n't negotiate with the Lie Gou from a perspective of weakness. '' Snape shook his point. `` And whatever he has done to those walking clay it is clearly powerful magic. No ... I fear we must take on he has his old strength back. The parallels between the living corps reanimated and the iniquity lord 's remarkable recovery are to obvious to ignore. ``

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

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

'' Brilliant. '' Harry threw his manus up in the air. `` So we have three whodunit. How did Voldemort heighten himself and his army from last ? How did he get the gold to hire the Lie Gou ? And why did the werewolves pop back up after deserting him over a year ago ? ``

'' Three mysteries. '' Natalie Zhao murmured quietly. `` Or maybe they 're the same mystery. We do n't know. ``

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

"Then perhaps you should go talk to your contacts."Snape whispered a Word of God and the fire beneath his cauldron snapped out."But call up what you promised."

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

"It is, but-"

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

"Should you not let him log Z's ?"

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

'' Harry, '' Snape 's interpreter stopped him before he could leave. `` You know that there may be a very upright reason why the dark Divine has returned. ``

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

'' You know the vaticination. There is only supposed to be one soul open of killing him. It is possible that, now that individual is dead, 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. ``

'' trade good. '' Snape nodded faintly. `` Neither will I. ``

Harry turned around and carefully carried the steaming potion from the way. He padded down the corridor, the fume twisting into spirals in the air. It was severe to keep the goblet unfaltering while hobbling along with his staff. damn dazed injury. Broken invalid that he was he was he was next to useless. Couldn't even carry a blooming cup. Harry gritted his tooth and tried to crowd those thoughts away from him. They resisted, hovering in his hindbrain, mercilessly haunting him. Harry reached Dragon's elbow room and pushed the door opened. He didn't bother to knock, Dragon almost certainly wouldn't have answered and he could already see what Draco was doing within.

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

construction a cage.

Harry still said goose egg, but instead sat on the edge of a chest of drawers and crossed his arms. Draco would speak eventually, he had to, it wasn't in him to not contribute his thinking voice.

"Don ‘ t try to arrest me."Draco said over his shoulder joint."I need a cage."

"I know that."Harry nodded, speaking quietly."But we could construct it in another room, no Call to ruin the room you ‘ ll have to sleep in the former twenty-seven days of the month."

"I ‘ m building it here."Draco didn't give ground. 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 acquaintance nodded, before stepping forward and raising his wand."This won ‘ t take long. You want to imbibe the Aconitum lycoctonum potion ?"

genus Draco didn't answer, he just stepped over the goblet and drained it. A spark twisted his features for a moment before they settled back into a blank, impassive State. Harry flickered some appealingness over the atomic number 26 taproom of the cage. It wasn't very boastfully, not considering that a werewolf would be in there. Draco would be fairly cramped. Harry added some cushioning charm to the compact bars.

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

"Isn ‘ t it ?"genus Draco said bitterly."Harry I ‘ m cursed. Permanently damned to be a monster. I ‘ ll lose my mind each full moon, I ‘ ll be a dark creature. I ‘ ll have become the things we kill."

"The wolfbane can help you."

"liar !"Draco hissed."There ‘ s nothing that can help me. There ‘ s no cure. There ‘ s no hope. Just go Harry. Just leave me. There is zero you can do for me ... unless ... unless you were prepared to-"

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

"I tried to do it myself."

"Stop."

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

"blockage 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 clutches on his tall staff tighten."Just shut the underworld up."

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

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

"As a freak. As something I despise."

"If there is one thing I ‘ ve learned from all this turd I ‘ ve been through is that animation is precious and death is pointless."Harry released Draco from his grip.

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

"I would rest with you every day, I really would. But I ‘ ve got matter to do so ..."Harry moved like a snake, whipping Dragon's leg out from under him and sliding him across the floor. He flicked the heavy room access of the batting cage capable then slammed it closed again as Draco tumbled through. With a second flick Harry summoned Draco's wand into his handwriting, then the tongue that was in a genus Draco's pocket and a letter opener from a drawer. His eye tried to try 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 trunk, who knew what poisonous substance there were in there. Draco had lifted himself up to his knees and was staring at him, optic wide-cut of hatred. Harry stepped right up to the cage.

"You are not dying today. You will not pop yourself. I will not let you."Harry locked the cage door with several charms he knew no wandless wizard could break through."Your lifespan is not over. Maybe zippo 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 book and tossed it to Draco."Here, something to understand. You ‘ ll penury to consider for the yr 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 theme how to fix any of it. Not the slender idea. Where was he even going ? He had a few mind but ... nothing concrete.

He could go to St Mungos perhaps ... chit on the other marauder. But he wasn't sure if he could take any more misery. There was nix he could do for them anyway. But then there was nada he could do out here either.

"I ‘ m beginning to remember stabbing that bastard in the neck was a fantastic wastefulness of time."Harry muttered into the hollow air.

The job isn't done yet.

Harry shuddered at the apprehension 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 space he could find the information he needed.

He needed to visit The Tarot.

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


Ginny curled her legs up under her. The chairs in the St Mungo's rooms were fellow now, but it was still impossible to get comfortable in them. They even seemed ... empty. Only four chairs occupied, herself, Hermione, Lucy and genus Vanessa. The only four still on their understructure at the end of the battle. Everyone else was in a bed, most still unconscious. Things seemed grim

Ginny had tried to keep on their spirits up, pointed out that the four survivor 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 beds. Cho with her tan, split paralyzed, Anna slammed against a rampart like a wench by one of the dead men. They were favorable to be alive, Ginny told herself, lucky to be alive.

Ginny shook her head. It was hard to suppose 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 circumstances. She looked down at her parents. Hard to see it as any sort of luck. She put her paw carefully on her mother 's bandaged arm. The healers said it would be weeks before they were even awake. Not luck at all.

Ginny shuddered and turned back towards the marauder layer. Vanessa was awake again and clinging to the side of Elizabeth 's bed like it was a life-line. The fiddling miss was badly shaken, not surprising really. Ginny idea of her as a small miss despite the fact that they were in the same year. Poor girl had seen her evil Church Father chopped up in front of her. At least the number one time he had died she hadn't been there to watch.

Ginny shook herself. Draco's male parent had died in battlefront of him and he had recovered alright, but maybe that was because it was Draco that had killed him.

Draco ...

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

Except that there was nothing she could do here.

There was nada she could do there either.

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


Harry was getting odd looks from passers by. He ignored them. Not just because that was his way but because Harlesden wasn't a place you stared at people in. It wasn't a terrible place, Harry knew far worse parts of London for a clearly injured man to take the air through. But it was bad enough to make him check alleys with his eye before walking past them, and enough for him to keep his wand tucked in his sleeve in easy reach.

He checked the chip of theme in his hand and headed quickly towards a tall, John Brown, concrete block of flats. Harry checked the paper again and reflected on the brilliance of the innovation of the elevator. A group of tike in hooded jump shot 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-blooded entry hall and pressed the call button for the elevator. As it slowly descended towards Harry he spent a lull moment reading the graffito. It reminded him of when he was untried.

Harry rode the elevator up, his nose wrinkling up at the very noticeable weewee smell and stepped out on the top floor. It wasn ‘ t even a corridor, just a prospicient concrete balcony. In winter it must have been freezing. He did n't involve to stop the paper again, he had it down by now. Apartment 12. Harry knocked loudly and waited. He heard footfall on the early side and focused his eye through the Wood. He was gasping in surprise long before the door opened.

'' Tonks ? '' Harry 's eyebrows raised. `` Did n't wait 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 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 registration act. '' Harry held out the firearm of theme for her to see. `` Any concerned citizen can find out where the monsters live. '' Draco hovered into Harry 's judgement and his stomach lurched a trivial. Not monsters then ... not all of them. near of them though.

'' You came to see Lupin. '' Tonks put her script to her lip in shock.

"Yes. Can you get him ? Please."

"I ... I don ‘ t know. He ‘ s only transformed back an time of day ago. I came to wreak him some breakfast and facilitate him retrieve. 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 let to go on a bloody list and carry 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 masses to know.

"And you want Remus to ... what ? talking to him ?"

"Just get the bloody wolfman Tonks. Get him now. Oh hold ..."Harry glanced over towards the attenuated bedroom door. `` Never mind. ``

"It ‘ s O.K. Tonks."A diffraction grating groan sounded and the door was pushed heart-to-heart slowly. `` I 'm awake. ``

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

'' Harry, '' Tonks held her hand, her oculus narrowing angrily. Harry was forced to prompt himself that the girl with the heart shaped font was an auror of the Helen Wills Moody school.

'' Professor Lupin ... '' Harry addressed the grey-faced man. `` genus Draco was- ''

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

'' I 'm not after a cure, I 'm not that stupid person. '' Harry growled back. `` I need you to babble out to him. You need to demonstrate him he still has something to live for. ``

'' Look at me Potter. '' lupine glanced down at his shivering, robed body. Harry, for the initiative time, point out multiple old fractures in his osseous tissue. Almost every bone in him bear some mark of his lifelong curse. Harry gritted his teeth. Maybe he should bear just done what Draco asked ... No ! Those kind of dismal intellection led to things like gouged-out eyes.

'' expression just blab out to him. '' Harry pleaded. `` I have study to do, I need to go to some darkness places today and meet strange people with little sense of humour and less personal hygiene. I know you hate me. I even know why ... a piffling. I do n't understand but ... whatever. Long narration short you despise me. But whatever you think about me do n't take it out on my friends. make out 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 finger gripped his staff so hard the Sir Henry Joseph Wood splintered. lupine stepped back, his eyes wide with shock. `` Lie to him if you have to. Tell him turning into a wolf is n't so bad. William Tell him it 's a barrel of laughs. Tell him it 's like a sneeze only better. Tell him anything ! '' Harry stepped forward, pointing his staff like a weapon. `` Tell him whatever the snake pit you would induce wanted to try. I do n't care ! All I know is that while you lie here with a plunder yell young enough to be your daughter my friend, my acquaintance who has saved my liveliness on numerous social occasion, is thinking his life is over and I DO N'T have it away WHAT TO SAY TO HIM ! I do n't know ! I ca n't think ... I ca n't help him ! He 's saved my aliveness and I do n't know how to serve him ! '' Harry turned his side to lupine so he could only see his fake eye. Could n't see that he was crying.

'' I do not screw how to facilitate him either. '' Lupin one-half turned back towards his bedroom. `` He will have to get through this himself. ``

'' You 're a coward. You always did like to blot out. '' Harry let the actor's line flow from his back talk like silk over ice. The effect on lupin was electric. The werewolf spun back to nerve Harry, his eyes all-encompassing with shock.

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

'' Just something I remembered. '' Harry let the Good Book sink in. He did n't really remember much. Dumbledore had taken his own remembering of James River Potter and thrown them into Harry 's mind. Now that he knew that he could almost tell where they were. It was like there was a giant black tar pit over one part of his judgment. Occasionally things would bubble to the surface but it was unacceptable to go swim. Lupin swallowed harshly before opening his mouth and levelly saying,

'' Get out of my plate Potter. Get out. ``

'' You going to verbalize to genus Draco ? '' Harry did n't be active. `` Or are you going to hide in your shanty ? ``

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

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

"Bardus accido !"Harry had barely whipped his sceptre out in prison term and the tour didn't have time to take in properly. Harry crumpled and rolled as he his the floor. His leg screamed with annoyance. Harry grabbed his staff and pushed himself to his fee-

crack cocaine !

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

"Bugger."Harry grimaced and looked around. There were no commodious bit of wood he could work with. No twigs or splinters. Wait ... there was a tree over there by the road. Harry hopped to his groundwork and limped painfully in that focus. He made it to the tree and picked a knobbly twig off the flooring. Another engorgement appealingness gave him a rude walking stick. Harry leant on it gratefully and breathed heavily. It just made everything more difficult. Harry shook his head, where he was going next he couldn't afford to show too very much weakness. Harry brushed his swither filled hair's-breadth out of his eyes. It had been a hanker day. The character that hadn ‘ t been excruciatingly painful had been full of aggravation .... the next person who pissed him off would-

"Give me your notecase !"

Harry didn't even think. His staff flashed up and slammed the mugger in the chin. 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, white 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 midriff of the room was a cage of blackened metal. The light source were dimmed to the level of total wickedness but Ginny could still see the blench heart in the midriff of the cage, a sight of picket whisker barely fitting in between the cake. It rose and fell slowly with the phone of breathing.

The floorboard under the cage were torn and splintered, and covered in blood. The wolf must have known it could n't get out between the bars, but it had tried anyway. Hair and drivel stained the floor with a pale rug. The whole room smelt like the den of an animal. How could so much bear happened ? How could this have happened ?

Ginny shivered. No one was watching now, she could break-dance down. Everyone was hurt, diagon alley was ruined. Was it her geological fault ? She could experience trained them harder. Should have pushed them to hold open education even after Voldemort 's apparent death ... cypher should have stopped them keeping in practice. People were dead because of that. People were dead because of her. And that made her insides knot up like roach. Was it bothering Harry ? Probably not ... he was probably out beating individual up for entropy or fighting a firedrake or something. goose egg rattled him.

Ginny sat down in a heavy armchair and pulled a throw over herself. It smelled like wet dog. The hale elbow room did. Ginny pulled the hard textile up and bunched it in strawman of her. For a moment she wondered where her childhood teddy bear was. Probably in a cupboard somewhere.

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


Harry flicked his strong-armer up as he turned into a disused alley. He slowed and bowed his head a little. Better 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 alley most champion 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 nice kind of magic.

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

"Welcome my child."A with child breathy vocalism sounded out of the sombreness. Harry could see her of course of study, but acted like he couldn't."Have you come for direction from the spirits ?"

"I need to impose the Tarot."Harry said the fixed words he needed to say."Is this the place I can receive it ?"

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

Harry stepped forward and a chairman faded out of the smoking air. Harry sat down and waited while the smoky physical body on the early side of the table slowly shuffled a deck of cards of scuffed card. Harry watched the fingers carefully, if you paid really close attention you could see her stack the deck. Harry tried not to yell for her to hasten 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 zilch. He had to play their game.

"What is your birth month child ?"

"July."Harry said without thinking. It didn't subject anyway. It was a fake calendar month given for a fake tarot indication that wouldn't have predicted anything even if it was real. Harry watched as the ‘ seer'flicked wit down one after another.

"This is for the past times, this is for the future."Harry tried not to roll his middle."This is the upshot of the viewing."The woman laid down the tower card."Meaning catastrophe."

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

Harry picked a apprehension of gunpowder and stepped into the flames. The spinning flaming whisked him away and he gritted his teeth, flueing with a gamey leg was always painful. Harry fell out onto a pit floor with a stabbing pain. But recovered fast and ambled out of the shop, waving pleasantly to the bemused hotshot shopkeeper.

He stepped out into the street and looked up into the sky. It was sunny now, he wondered what fourth dimension it had gotten to be. Breakfast had never happened. dejeuner would probably never happen. Harry reached into his bag and drew out something that felt like food. An apple. 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 adept robes. Sod it, who cared.

Harry looked up and saw the swinging sign he was looking for. A fade pub sign of a gemstone towboat. The Saame one that had been on the plug-in. This was what he was looking for.

This was the tarot. The den of stealer, a near fabled pit of iniquity. Every auror in the country would receive given their right 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 location changed, you only found out where from the tarot lecturer. The married woman of the proprietor. On any other day the other vingt-et-un, the Fool, the Death, the Justice and the balance, would just be muggle pubs like any others. Harry didn't know where the muggles who usually went to the taphouse went on the days when their local anaesthetic was designated the Tarot. Probably drank at home.

Harry pulled his cap 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 president around the old oak tables were high backed, leather and padded. The open fireplace was roaring cheerfully.

Harry liked the Tarot, it was homely. wayward to what you might retrieve there were no conflict in the Tarot. People didn't come to the tarot card to bar-room brawl, they came for job. Serious business. Of course if you pissed off the awry person you would be chopped up and fed into the mincing auto 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 stool. There was no barkeeper, Harry could see him behind the paries hulking around an vacate barrelful. The pub was surprisingly full, every booth was entire of maunder conversation and every mesa surrounded by serious looking men. Men who had other men sitting succeeding to them who never spoke. Men in very good gown, or very just suits. Harry tried not to look to closely at them. It didn't do to pay too much attention to people in the Tarot.

Harry shook his heading ruefully, of row the place was wide. Diagon alley had been crushed, shaken and blasted to the soil. These people would be discussing how that effected their design ... their plot of ground. Would they stimulate time to talk to him about his own job ? What was he thinking ... of path they would. For enough Au. He just had to ask the right questions.

How would he do this ? Harry ordered red vino when the bartender came back. It was served to him without motion, and without input. Harry stepped over to an empty tabular array and rested a galleon against the bottom of his shabu. The tarot had signaling, subtle 1. Harry didn't know more than than the spare scratch of them. But he knew this one, amber against red wine meant you were interested in assassinator. Actually it meant you wanted someone killed but it amounted to the same thing.

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


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

He opened his eyes and slowly tried to push himself to his human knee. His men were shaking. No ... his unanimous body was shaking. He could n't even focus his heart. Draco let himself fall back to the floor, the pitted and splintered Wood bit into his sensitive pelt and he could n't help but cry out. There was no stage in getting up, he could n't unlock the cage anyway. Was it even worth reaching between the BAR to drop behind his clothes back onto his aching body ? He did n't want to be naked when somebody came to check on him but he did n't retrieve he could physically put the clothes on. Maybe if he gave himself a mo to recover ... to cure. Then he could grapple it. Maybe in a few minutes ... if he just concentrated on breathing.

'' Draco ? ``

The voice registered on the higher reaches of his brain but did nothing to the lower berth. He knew he should respond somehow but had no thought how to.

'' Are you awake ? '' A face came into view, framed by ginger hair. Dragon coughed roughly, shock making his pharynx close like a frailty. His legs came up, trying to hide himself from the miss in front line of him. She disappeared like a ghost and Draco momentarily thought he had imagined her. But then a heavy cloth dropped on top of him from the top of the coop. He weakly pulled the thread cloth over him and tried to comprehend himself without scraping the fabric over his skin.

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

'' Do I look alright ? '' Dragon whispered.

'' Do you want some H2O ? ``

'' Why are you here ? '' Draco wrapped the fabric around himself and tried once again to push himself to his knee and scuffle skinny to the barroom. `` 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 rumpled apparel. They were the Saame ones she had been wearing yesterday. genus Draco realized he could even smell Ginny 's scent on the throw over him, and wafting over from his late armchair. `` Did you sleep here ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' You idiot ! You slept in a way with a werewolf ! What if I had broken free people ! You could make been killed ! ``

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

'' Do you recognise what a loup-garou is ? '' Draco shook his psyche, all this yelling was making his already aching head split apart. `` Of path I would have hurt you ! ``

'' Alright fine. '' Ginny crossed her arms. `` But I could stimulate stunned you or- ''

'' While you slept ? ``

'' I ... ''

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

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

'' You just ... went to sleep ? '' Draco 's centre widened, then closed again when the lighter hurt his brain. `` Why did n't you go to your own way ? ``

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

'' No. But it 's not any spoiled than I expected. '' Draco leant against the bar. Having mortal there might
actually be a good thing, it forced him to get up and act with some gloss of normality. If Ginny had n't been there he probably would take in still been lying on the flooring. `` Lupin came and told me what to expect. He did n't provide anything out. At the time I hoped he might be exaggerating ... ''

'' Draco ... ''

'' I ca n't believe this cage is the residuum of my lifespan ... '' Draco bowed his principal, resting his principal against the legal profession. He closed his center, letting himself slide down. It was n't just that he would birth to go through this every twenty-eight solar day. That he could almost ingest dealt with. But the fact that he was a ... a affair ... he could n't allow himself to be a predator now. There was no way he could put the others under that kind of danger, not with a fiend inside him. He could n't go back to Hogwarts either, that was out of the question. All those kid ... he would be putting them all in danger.

So what was his life-time now ? He might as well never leave this batting cage ... he really should have slit his own pharynx. If only the Friedrich August Wolf had ripped its own heart out during the night.

His life was now deserving cypher. Why ...

'' Draco ... ''

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

genus Draco 's optic shot open as flaccid lips slammed roughly into his.
*


He was n't moving his rim against hers and his optic were wide with scare. Ginny drew back, her hands shaking a little. That had been her initiative real kiss. On the whole it had n't been very good. She could smack parentage on her lips.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'' Yes ! '' Draco blurted.

'' You think I care ! ``

'' You ... you ... yes you should give care. '' Dragon pulled his throw closer about him. `` You should care. ``

'' well I do n't ! ``

'' Well I do. '' genus Draco 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 better. I 'm ... I 'm drear. ``

'' And what I want. '' Ginny gritted her tooth, Her meat was a churning vortex, beating faster and faster. She didn ‘ t know if she wanted to burst into bust or perforate the shaking boy in front of her. `` That does n't count to you ? ``

'' On balance. No. '' Draco shrunk back to the early end of the cage."I ‘ m sorry Ginny ... you should allow. I ‘ m so no-good. I just ... I ‘ m sorry and you ..."

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

"Well what else can I do ?"

"You can shut up !"Ginny stood and stomped towards the door."Get yourself out of the flaming John Milton Cage Jr. !"

She slammed the threshold shut angrily.

Bloody prat.
*


Draco slammed his forehead against the bar. The ringing billet grated on his pinna but the pain just melted into the suffering 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 forefront rose slowly and when he saw who had spoken he quickly pulled his throw around to cover himself better. Harry was leaning against the wall nonchalantly. He had massive disastrous bags under his eyes and he smelled like stale drinking 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 mention it."Harry folded his arm."Wasn ‘ t gon na refer how you basically emo-slapped a close Friend. How you cut her heart and soul out with a big big tongue made of mislaid ruth. Was n't going to impact on the fact that you 're a totality MORON ! Not gon na -"

"Shut up Harry. You don ‘ t know what you ‘ re talking about."Dragon pulled his throw 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 base of the ninja cat, and I think we need to pay them a visit."

'' I do n't ... I do n't know if I 'll be up to it. '' Draco shook his school principal. It was n't self pity, just simple truth.

'' fountainhead I 'm going to be offering them with child amounts of your money in addition to mine so you might want to be there. ``

'' consecrate them whatever you want. '' Draco waved his hand vaguely. `` I do n't want any of it. I never did. Just bequeath me adequate to live on. ``

'' So you 've decided to live ? '' Harry stepped forward, grinning cheekily. `` If I 'd get it on a kiss was all you needed I would take dragged Ginny here myself. Heck I would'a kissed you if got you to quit eyeing up the letter unfastener. '' Harry drew his verge and flicked it towards the coop door. Draco pushed it and it swung subject slowly.

'' It was n't the osculation. '' Dragon shakily crawled out of the cage and rose to his feet, the movement making him nauseous. `` It was n't the kiss. ``

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

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


Harry stood outside the door to the Mrs. Humphrey Ward at St Mungos and bit his lip. It had been over a day since the horrendous battle. 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 prison term to do them. His magic eye flicked from bed to bed. How could he talk to them when every import he could see the damage 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 vocalization behind him, then relaxed. He let out a sigh of relief.

'' Thea, '' Harry stepped forward and hugged the little prophet, pressing her into his chest. `` You 're fine. ``

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

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

'' You do n't have to apologize to me. '' Pythea smiled. `` You always get the hard decisions Harry. ``

'' I should go in now. ``

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

'' What ? ``

'' Tell a jape. ``

'' What ? ``

'' I 'm serious Harry. ``

'' A ... a laugh ? '' Harry did n't know where this was coming from. `` This is n't exactly a joking time. ``

'' Harry at the end of last year you promised we had seen the last of the angry, self-destructive, madly driven and vengeful man you had become. Do n't break that hope. Do n't go through that room access 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 property ? Maybe. Getting unearthly wizard stuff stuffed into his bones did sound remarkably appealing. But he could still win without it. He was n't the hero of prophecy, he was doing things his way. Harry smiled wryly. `` I jumped off a building. ``

'' What ? ``

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

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

'' Broke my cane too. '' Harry smiled as the girl in nominal head 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. '' Thea shook her headspring, still laughing quietly.

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

'' You 're welcome Harry. ``



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


Have managed to write a bit more now. Stupid things like my degree and existent life keep on getting in the way.





Harry could have sworn his sinew were tensed like rubber banding. His eye was spinning rapidly, seeking every phantasm and his pump was pumping with the light staccato pounding of suspense.

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

'' Do you see an ambuscade ? '' Snape asked calmly, striding following to him.

'' No, but I do n't believe them not to have some fast one up their arm. '' Harry sighed and trudged forward along the approximate stone track. It was belated enough that the air was pleasantly chill, the sun still streaming brightly over the cliffs to their left. They were far enough from the muggle route that the only auditory sensation in the air was the whistling of the wind and the buzzing of insects.

'' Are you certain they are here ? '' Snape asked, glancing up at the Welsh cliff. `` It does not seem 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 address in the space, shimmering glassily in the sun. It was a moment longsighted before it came into genuine scene, a piffling lake in the heart and soul of the valley. The route meandered towards it, crossing a little stream and cutting a track through the heather. As it drew close to the still glassy urine Harry drew to a stop and looked down. footling round down 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 even with his conjuring trick eye. It just looked like a normal lake.

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

'' Keep your incalculably greasy hair on. '' Harry knelt down and put his back talk right up to the H2O. `` Agoredig Ffordd. '' The pressure of his words made ripple on the water supply. He straightened up. zilch had happened.

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

'' Relax Thatch. '' Harry closed his eyes. `` This is far worse for me if I 'm wrong. '' He leant forward and allowed himself to fall, head first, into the water.

The icy piddle felt like a curtain of silk. No wetness. No veneration. No pebbles. Harry 's impulse spun him up on the former slope and he had a moment of vertigo when his brain told him he was standing on a ceiling. He took a breath and steadied himself. Everything around him looked the Lapplander, same rocks, Saame wind. He could almost have been fooled into thinking he had n't moved at all.

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

'' Satisfied ? ``

'' That watchword was Welsh. '' Snape glanced back at the lake. `` Not Chinese. ``

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

'' Interesting, '' Harry could see the appurtenance 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 entrust that the Lie Gou do n't know about them ?

Not with any sure thing. Snape shook his head. And you are right. We should pass this way while in there territory.

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

'' Did your author William Tell you where to go succeeding ? '' Snape said out loud.

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

'' Ah ... yes. '' The wall of the valley was carved out in massive stone pillar and a massive stair had been hacked into the rock. At the top, framed against the setting sun, was a tiered temple in red woods. Rising up to the sky like a pyramid of fire. `` I suppose this is the place. ``

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

As they set off across the heather Harry let his eyes wander. This space looked entirely convention up close but the further away you looked the more the aspect seemed flat and unreal, like whoever had made this place hadn't extended it much beyond this valley. There were animals though, insects and hoot and rabbits in their holes underground. To what degree was this blank space just a reflection ?

Harry shook his header. An academic or a historian might give care. He didn't. They reached the metrical foot of the grating hewn stairs 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 shew signs of weakness. Snape agreed, glancing up at the far off temple.

Harry glanced around until his eye fell on a small boulder, no larger than a pillow. He drew his sceptre and crouched down beside it. One whispered spell made it shift in it's bed of moss. A mo made it ring like a Vanessa Bell and with the third base it flashed gold.

Harry sat on the stone, crossed his legs and laid his stave across his articulatio genus. The stone slowly rose into the air and hovered there, humming quietly. Snape almost looked impressed.

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

Don't bet on it. Harry began floating up the stairs, maintaining eye contact with his teacher. The spells I used were a very basic version of the ones used to have broomsticks. That should impart you an rough guide to how much control I have over this affair. Slow hovering is the best I can do.

They climbed the step in silence for awhile, the sang-froid wind whistling around the carve mainstay. The land seemed desert and deserted. Seemed.

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

Of form we are.

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

The possibleness that we can give them more amber than they would gain by killing us.

And if it turns out we can ‘ t ?

Snape didn ‘ t answer. Harry eased his wand in the band of his belt. This would be matter to. The final steps brought the sleep of the temple into purview. It seemed smaller now than it had before, not much larger than a pocket-sized house. It was surrounded by a mere garden, just categoric dope and small pool. There weren ‘ t even any koi in the kitty, just a very Brits frog. Harry didn't know what he had been expecting. Cherry trees perhaps. But of course these men were assassins, they probably didn't have much time for gardening.

Speak of the devil ...

The varicoloured door on the front man of the temple opened and an honest-to-goodness gentleman in a simple drab robe stepped out.

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

Harry lowered his rock and roll to the floor with a clunk and raised himself to his feet. He unlaced his charge and left them there on the edge of the cliff before stepping towards the door. Snape put a restraining paw on his shoulder and Harry reluctantly let the older wizard Pb. The door were swung afford for them and the old man led them through a short hallway.

The walls looked like ... walls. They had warded them against witching method acting of surveillance and apparently that included his eye. Was that intentional ? Had his eye suit rough-cut knowledge or had the warding always been there as a precaution. Harry tried not to give any preindication that he was uncomfortable but for a man who had gotten used to 24 seven x-ray panorama the sudden lack was claustrophobic.

Get it together.

Harry followed Snape and their guide into a room at the side of meat of the building. The false luminousness of this mirror populace streamed in through the enceinte windowpane onto a tabularize standing low on the flooring. There was already a pot of tea and three empty cups waiting for them.

"If you would wait here."The old guide said, indicating the table."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 table and sat cross legged beside it. Neither so much as reached for the tea.

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

They accept initiates from many place. Snape's voice was calm in Harry's mind. And in any case it is almost certainly not his real name. Think no Sir Thomas More of it, concentrate 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 sound people.

Not that intelligent. Not if they think we're stupefied enough to imbibe the tea.

I meant this construction. Snape glanced around at the paries. I believe it is bombastic on the inside than on the outside in the manor of many wizards building. However a visitor who had only been shown these few rooms would leave thinking this temple no braggart than it appears.

When in world whole armies could be housed here. Harry finished off the mentation. How did you put to work that out ?

There are sealed star sign. For someone familiar with this sorting of enchantment.

I didn't smell anything.

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

fountainhead you're not directly my teacher. Harry chuckled. Not unless you've Menachem Begin accepting T gradation into your triton class.

The door was opened quietly and both Harry and Snape's optic flashed no the new arrival. He was dressed in a wooing, disastrous and clean in every line, but Harry could see the tongue hidden in his sleeve. His preparation was every inch the man of affairs but he had broad tattoos on the backs of his hands, one a cycle of flames, the other a fox's head. A portrait of incongruence. Nothing what it seemed. He was Japanese, Harry could see now, so at least the name wasn't a total fake.

"Good evening."The man spoke quickly and with firm self assurance."My name is Sasori, and I am the drawing card of the Lie Gou in this part of the world. You are Severus Snape and Harry ceramicist. Welcome. I believe you had something to discus with me."Sasori stepped up to the low table and sat quickly. Without waiting for them to speak he reached over and poured himself a modest cup of Green River tea. Harry supposed that was supposed to put them at ease. Why the blaze would it ?

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

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

"Yes. We will pay you whatever the dark lord has offered and ten percent Thomas More besides. It is a serious offer. You know the atomic number 79 we have available to us."Snape indicated Harry with his arm."In tax return you will not only quit your employment under Voldemort but you will also kill him and play 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 assassin smiled."You are so sure you can provide what you promise ?"

"We have the riches of two ancient wizarding houses behind us. And more than besides."

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

"What has the dark lord offered you ?"Harry could smell Snape's tension rising.

"I can not tell you that."

"Has he offered you something former than amber ?"

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

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

"Not nearly enough."Sasori chuckled.

"Ten million."Snape fixed the man across the tabular array with a glare."The current heir to the potter and Malfoy destiny are surprisingly carefree about fiscal concerns. If ten million is unsatisfactory perhaps you should name your price."

"Perhaps you should bring in the meaning of the word no."The man lean forward."I am rejecting your fling Mr Snape. I do not stand for to be harsh but, even if you could pay us more than him, we must honour our consignment to Mr riddle. It would shame me to do less."

lie. Harry watched the assassins eyes as he stood. You don't give a rat's fanny about honor. That'shame me'horseshit is just telling us what you think we expect to hear. Why are you lying ? What else is going on here ?

"You should both entrust now."Sasori stepped away towards the room access."No one will discontinue 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 headquarters."It was like he didn ‘ t want to make 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 dark lord means so much to them they should have killed us."

"Perhaps they weren ‘ t sure they could beat us ?"Harry suggested. At Snape's withering stare he shrugged."Ok, so that was a stupid 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 rationality why this job ‘ s so important to them."

"Perhaps."Snape nodded faintly."The thought is Charles Frederick Worth investigating anyway, though he did not seem like a man with loved 1 in danger. He seemed too calm."

"He wasn ‘ t."Harry growled."His heart was running a piffling fast. He was nervous from the moment 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."kernel rate isn ‘ t a hundred-percent judge of when somebody ‘ s lying. It was weird, but it almost seemed like he was unagitated once you started offering money."

"Strange."

"Whatever."Harry rolled his heart."I have n't slept in a surprisingly long meter. Unconsciousness does n't number. I 'm going to bed."

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

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

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

"Has anything of promissory note happened ?"Snape asked.

"You could understand the file."

"Your assessment will be more succinct."Snape rubbed his temple."The chief points please."

"The PM issue have come back on the dead fighters. They were not living dead, or inferi. We do n't know what they are. Their anatomy is just rotting now, nothing support. We did observe something unknown in their system but we can not distinguish it."

"And the idle 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 Orcinus orca had to finish them off. Would you like to hazard a dead reckoning as to the poison used ?"

"Everybody 's well-disposed neighbourhood vigilante again ?"Harry said from his position slouched on a chair. At Natalie 's nod he chuckled."Nice to love he 's still out there."

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

"You want to get him ?"

"I want to know how he created his poison."Snape answered tonelessly."I am sure enough it could have even to a greater extent harm in able hands."

"You are so much coolheaded than Dumbledore."

"But there seems to be no way to catch him."Snape picked the knife up carefully with the steer of his fingers."I assume there was goose egg usable on this ?"

"There was mud, travail and hair."Snape made no motility to spend the knife despite Natalie 's words. Harry 's ear pricked up.

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

"As far as we can say yes."

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

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

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


"Harry ?"

"Yes Thea ?"

"You 're in my room."

"Yes, that 's true."

"In the middle of the night."

"This is also true."

"The room access was locked."

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

"Can I pretend ?"Pythea arched an eyebrow, but a faint smile played on her lips.

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

"Really ?"Theia leant forward to look into Harry 's eyes. The faint luminance gave her a face a ghostly flavor, wide-cut of shadows."You do n't think I 'll guess ? What could you be here for ? ... In the eye of the night ..."

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

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

"Damnit."Harry shook his head wryly, the spell broken."You sure you ca n't interpret psyche any more ?"

"I often do n't birth to."Pythea held out her hand. Harry reached into hie sack 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 obtain out who owned it or something. Skry for them or some mystic thing like that."

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

"eternal rest ?"

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

"I can just sleep on a chair-"

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

You do n't need the chair. Harry rolled his eye as he stood and moved over to the bed.

He fell asleep almost instantly, his brain trying to make up for the stress and enfeeblement of the yesteryear few daytime. In his pipe dream he occasionally saw a white public 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 eyelid made for realistic dream. That was why he knew that she was done far before he eventually woke, the cockcrow light streaming in through the curtains.

"You did n't wake me."Harry said, his heart still closed.

"I thought you needed your sleep."

"Like you needed the chair ?"Harry opened his heart and sat upright. On the table next to Pythea a rough map had been drawn on parchment. A pocket-sized Town, nestled in a valley. Further up the map was a delicate X."The murderer 's there ?"Harry pointed.

"I do not think so Harry, it was very faint."Pythea shook her headland."The knife lay there a foresightful fourth dimension before the murderer picked it up. The chances that he is still there are-"

"Low."Harry pulled the rough sketch over to him. The name of the Ithiel Town was written at the tail in Pythea 's elegant helping hand."power 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 guess at best."Harry shrugged and pocketed the theme."Besides, you were up all night. You need the bed now."Harry stood and stepped towards the threshold."I 'll differentiate you if I find anything interesting."

"Do n't wake me."Pythea 's smiling waved him out the door.
*


Harry reached the sleepy village and breathed fresh 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 due north of the town. Harry set off in that centering, glad to at least have something constructive to do after all the confusion and Chaos. A market keeper waved to him while at the Saami time squinting like he was an trespasser. Harry waved back and carried on. The houses thinned out and Harry found himself walking along a country road, fields on either slope. He checked his petty study map again. It was somewhere east of the road.

Harry 's centre scanned the domain and the trees beyond it. There was no way to speak of, just a sort of track that looked like it was used by coney more often than humans. Harry made for it warily and slowly climbed up through the trees, his walking get dig 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 hutch. It was surrounded by bramble and almost consumed by the wood. Ivy covered every shaft of light and wall. Without his eye Harry was n't certainly he would let seen it as a house at all.

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

Harry slid closer slowly. The man was crouched on the dry land, shivering, his lean limbs shaking. Now that Harry was closer he could see the man for what he was, a poor devil, he could barely see a shred of flesh on the man 's ivory. The affair that made up virtually of his free weight was probably his hair and matted beard. It certainly was n't in the tatterdemalion robes he was wearing. Harry scratched his psyche, adept 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 appear right at Harry through the wall of the building."Sashias !"

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

The man scuttled out of the house like a spider and his eyes flashed from one spot to another like an animal.

"Sassicz."

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

"Saz !"The man leant down to the priming coat and held out his hand. Some ... thing slithered out of his sleeve.

It took Harry a import to make what he was seeing. It was a snake, small and grey and not much long than a ruler. But then, it was n't, it was nothing. Nothing was there but a wisp of curling hoar smoke. Harry realized what it was. Only one of his eyes was seeing the snake. To the other it would be just a shadower. To any normally sighted person ... the snake would be invisible.

Harry stepped to the side but the snake made for him, slowly undulating it 's way through the leave of absence. Harry stepped again, and the snake changed direction. Making for him like a bloodhound. Harry '' s mind threw up little memories of an undiscovered and lethal toxin and stepped away more quickly. The snake kept after him, implacable demise. Harry took a inscrutable breath, time to admit control.

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

The man 's drumhead shot up and the serpent froze in the forage. Harry dropped his camouflage and addressed old man directly.

"I am a protagonist. We both fight Voldemort. Please forebode off the snake."

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

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

"Zaccussazic !"

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

"Sisss ... sss ...."

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

"Name ..."The low gear English people Son from the old man 's lips was guttural consonant and raspy."Name ..."

"Yes, your name. What is it ?"

"Important."

"It is important."

"male parent said it was important."The decrepit man 's hilltop furrowed."Said it was sissica all we had."

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

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

"Please-"

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

"I understand."Harry tried to calm the loony man, keeping one eye on the snake."He 's hurt me too. We 're on the Saami side of meat here."

"I want to vote out him !"

"So do I, or failing that dismember."

"He took my mind !"

"I see that. Believe me."

"But I remembered !"The man pointed a grumble finger's breadth at his head."Out on the rock 'n' roll ... out on Azkaban rock. He was there zassiz ! Broke it spread out. I saw his cheek. I remembered !"

"What. Is. Your. Name."

"My name ?"The man snapped back to the present his centre fixing on Harry."My name ?"

"Yes."

"Morfin Gaunt."





If you do not reexamine then all the C. P. Snow that has brought United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to a dead end today ( and coincidently frozen by bloody digit ) will be transported directly into your animation room.


Harry sat cross-legged on the floor of the lilliputian hut and looked across at the wizened figure before him. It had taken oven an 60 minutes of teasing little nuggets of selective information from the man in front line of him but now he thought he finally had the entirely tale. unlikely as it was.

In a way it was hard to believe that the wizened 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 loose. Harry tried to commend that this man was a crazy murdering vigilante, a man who had set his Snake on masses who were already unconscious. His mind was probably irredeemably broken and fried to insanity by his retentive stay in Azkaban, plus the mind-flay Voldemort had worked on him. At least the false memories 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 retaliation for what Tom Riddle 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 authorities he lost an ally. If he did n't it was only a matter of time until someone died who did n't deserve to. But if he handed him to Snape he had the outdo of both worlds. So that was that. The second affair he was trying to do was think of how to nobble the gold box under the floorboards without Morfin noticing. It was warded too heavily too be Morfin 's workplace, and it was too recent to be the lastly residents. Which meant it was probably the slithery dark lord.

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

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

"Is it more important than retaliation ?"

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

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

"Apparate."Morfin unfolded like a paper spring.

"You can apparate ?"

"Yes."

"Hmm ..."Harry 's eye narrowed. Perhaps this man could be utile after all.
*


Harry got Morfin settled into one of the abandoned firm he had used during his vagrant months the premature year before doubling back to the hovel. 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 trouble to obscure something it had to be of import. Harry waved his wand to disclose the tribute on it and a myriad of flickering World Wide Web surrounded the lilliputian box. One or two he recognised, most he did not. Harry whistled admiringly ( got to admire fine work wherever it comes from ) and got to work.

In the end it took boulder clay dusk, farseeing shadow making the tree outside loom larger. Harry did one final examination expanse to condition there were no other expletive on the box, then flicked it unfastened with the tip of his baton. Inside lay a ring, tarnished gold set with a blackened Harlan Fiske Stone. Harry ran another test on it and more 60 minutes crawled by as he removed the second gear layer of protection before dropping it into his bag.

Various muscular tissue complained about his prolonged deficiency of crusade as he lifted himself off the floor and levitated the boards back into berth. He had done it. But what to do now ? Last class he would ingest kept this secret, secluded himself in some far off corner until he had sorted out the closed book of this strange physical object. Harry shook his head, should n't let himself devolve into that again. Should n't. Besides, if he handed the doughnut to Snape there was a probability he could get some sleep.
*


"That is an unlikely story."Snape had his eyes fixed on the ring on the table between them."I do not doubt you but ..."

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

"No doubt I will see 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 mob."legerdemain 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 hairsbreadth out of his eyes.

"Where are you going ?"

"Well first I 'm going to eat whatever that is I can smell cooking, then I 'm going to light 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 olfactory organ lead the way.

His cane clicked on the tiles as he walked towards the kitchen but he slowed as he got closer. Raised voices could be heard within. Harry pushed the threshold open quietly and slid inside. By the stove a wizard with tenacious ginger hair's-breadth tied in a pony-tail was arguing with a shorter haired one. Harry recognised that one as Percy and, from description, the other 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 ignore the contention behind them. Harry sidled up to them and slither in beside.

"What 's going on ?"Harry asked while surreptitious levitating the Viscount St. Albans out of the pan."Those are your chum are n't they."

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

"What are they arguing over ?"

"Us."Ginny shook her oral sex."Because mum and dad are in hospital and they ... they are n't getting out soon the ministry says we need a guardian. Bill came here because he thinks it should be him but ..."

"Percy 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 pass still bowed.

"They need stability !"Percy was yelling from over by the stove."They need person with a well job and a goodness home 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 homo employees just last calendar week. Some hoi polloi think they 're cleaning house."

"And what is that supposed to mean-"

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

"Does it matter who they pick ?"Harry asked his friends."I mean, I do n't have a guardian and I 'm right. Draco does n't have a defender. Pythea does n't sustain a guardian. Why do they worry whether you do ?"

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

"guesswork not."Harry shrugged."Anyway 's, we 're all going to Hogwarts in a few Day, it wo n't weigh then."

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

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


Returning to Hogwarts felt strange. The castle and the sorcerous plaza around it had always felt like they were a separate domain. You got on the train at Kings Cross and somehow entered a charming bubble that you could n't impart except at Holidays. But in the last year Harry had found that the house of cards was like swiss cheese, he could go out any time he wanted.

It was sad to lose the illusion. Ah well ...

There was something else that was gone as well. The curse on the denial against the dark arts post was apparently gone. Markus Michelson was still there, officially to teach but Harry knew he was now part of the edict. The number one affair Harry did was ask for special training, for him and all the marauder. They would take it.

Outside Hogwarts the wizarding worldly concern was curling up into it 's shell like a escargot. The monolithic attack on Diagon alley seemed to be too much for the great unwashed, they were too scared. There were no more attacks like the first but Voldemort 's bushed men had been seen all over the res publica. Spreading fear wherever they went. Yes ... they definitely needed to train.

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

"Harry."Snape raised an brow as the room access opened."You are no longer in any of my classes."

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

"What do you want Harry ?"

"wealthy person you made any progress with the band ?"

"No."

"How about with the Lie Gou ?"

"question are continuing."

"And about Voldemort ?"

"I will let you know if anything important 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 think of something specific that you could be doing ?"

"looking at for Voldemort !"

"Where ?"

"Everywhere !"

"Peering under every 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 promontory."Voldemort will not be hiding where petty thief can notice him."

"I need to do something !"

"There is cipher to be done."Snape snapped."Currently all you are doing is wasting my fourth dimension ... wait."

"Yes ?"

"If you want to help with something ..."Snape stepped back into his berth, then returned with a helping hand outstretched."piece of work on this."

The ring glittered in his hand.

"Are n't you working on it ?"Harry reached out and took the tintinnabulation, 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 hump. You have shown an phylogenetic relation for puzzles. Why do n't you try to divine it 's closed book ? If nada else it will keep open you out of trouble."With that Snape turned and pulled his threshold shut, leaving a puzzled Harry behind.
*


Despite the fact that the job had been given to him only to shut out him up Harry attacked it with excitation. He tried every revealing spell he knew on the ring but nothing registered. The only time he got any cue that it was anything early than metal and Harlan Fisk Stone was one prison term when, in a fit of irritation, 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, fiddling prickle down his spine. He had n't tried to get into it again but had done a all book 's worth of E.S.P. detection spells on it. Nothing happened.

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

"It 's magical all right."Harry had his read/write head slumped down on his arms, staring at the mob in the midriff of the table."I can find it."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"That 's a long shot Harry."Padma said."Do n't you think Voldemort would have protected himself against that kind of thing ?"

"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 break of the day ?"

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

"Really ?"Harry 's eye swivelled up in his head."Ah, I see her."Harry took off out of the great Hall. He hurried up to the Hogwarts guest quarters and knocked.

"Come in Harry."

Harry smiled and opened the door. Pythea was sat at the small-scale table in the midsection of the room, map splayed out in social movement of her. One of the map had small blue personal identification number stuck in it. Harry wondered what the order was having her do, try to predict where the Lie Gou would assume no doubt. Or trying to receive Voldemort.

"You were n't at breakfast."Harry pulled up a chair and sat down next to the visionary."Your expiration. There was porridge."

"I had a meeting with respective order members go dark. It ran on quite late."Pythea sighed tiredly.

"Why is it you get meetings with order of magnitude 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 claim over some of the workload if you like."

"Are you a illusionist ?"

"No, but I can seduce it up. Is n't that what you do ?"Harry chuckled.

"No."

"Or we could get Trewalny to handle for you !"

"Do you want to send club members to their death ?"Pythea laughed and Harry chuckled. Pythea became serious again and leant 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 heart and slid the ring out of his pocket.

"Harry ..."Pythea raised her brow."We 're both a little young to marry."

"Are you sure ?"Harry chuckled."I 'm rich, quite rich."

"No you 're not. Harry Potter is full-bodied, you 're draining his camber account."

"Potato potato."Harry paused."That idiom does n't work so well in mark. Not even with italics."

"catch breaking the fourth wall and secernate me what this ring is."Pythea took the ring out of Harry 's hired man and raised it to her oculus."There is some symbol on it."

"It 's from some nutzo myth."Harry snorted."The crucial affair is that this ring belonged to Voldemort."

"And you want me to use it to chance him ?"Pythea shook her head teacher."The dark lord will certainly have protected his hiding place from scrying."

"I just need something."Harry pleaded."He did this gang really carefully, lots of enchantments. It obviously matters to him somehow. I just need to cognise why. give way me something."

"I will try Harry. But I can not anticipate anything."Pythea held the ringing in both her hired hand and closed her eyes."You should get to your lesson Harry. This could take a while."

"Lessons ?"

"The things you go to schoolhouse for."

"Oh right ! Them."Harry stood and turned to the door."I 'll check back after class. Or before, if I get bored."

Harry slid in late into his double defense lawyers socio-economic class. It did n't matter too a great deal, the marauder were working to a unlike curriculum. He joined the rest of them and took his situation on the duelling line. He glanced at genus Draco opposite him and noted the mystifying bags under his eyes and his slouch posture. Full moon last night. He should have remembered.

"How was it ?"Harry asked.

"Horrendously painful. Like before."Draco grated dryly."What did you think ?"

"That it would be rosiness and kittens and barrels of candy."Harry raised his scepter."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 cause been insulting. After the grade Draco went to find a bathtub of ice to lie in and Harry went back to Pythea 's quarter. He knocked and pushed the door open.

"Any procession ?"Harry asked the petty seer.

"No Harry."Pythea shook her head."I could not see anything."

"Are you sure ?"Harry slouched dejectedly."Nothing ? Not even why he hid it ?"

"Lord Voldemort protected himself too well."Pythea shook her principal."I could find nothing."

"Damnit."Harry scratched his head."I really hoped ... well never mind."

"I will sustain trying."Pythea stood, her custody folded in her sleeve in front of her."If I find anything I will tell you at once."

Harry froze. Twisted tendrils of fearfulness grew around his heart. He had seen ...

"You 're wearing the ring."Harry stated flatly.

"Yes."Pythea responded without missing a musical rhythm."To obtain a near connection."

"Take it off."Harry slid around the tabular array with his hand out.

"Harry you are being irrational."

"Please fill the annulus off Thea."Harry tried to sound calm. He failed."Just guide it off. Please."

"There is really no need."

"humour me."

"You are worried over nothing."

"If it 's null assume it off."

"If I wear it at all clip I may see something I missed."

"Just take the freekin band off Thea !"Harry stepped towards her."Please take it off !"

"No."Pythea took her manus out of her sleeve. Her vocalization was like ice."I will not."

"Oh ... crap."Harry froze, his hand hovering over the pocket where he kept his scepter."You 're not Thea any-more are you ?"

"You seem unsettled Harry."Pythea smiled thinly."Is there some variety of job ?"Pythea 's hands were raising slowly. Harry twitched towards his wand. The custody stopped moving.

"You 're Voldemort. Somehow you 're Voldemort."Harry had looked into the ophidian faced motherfucker 's eyes enough times to discern him staring back."The ring was ... was like the diary."

"You found my diary ?"Voldemort raised one dainty brow."That is unsatisfying. But no matter, even if the diary was destroyed I still survive and this ... this body will do nicely."

"You 're a addict who keeps trying to possess young girls."Harry tried to edge his hired 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 dentition ground together."Or so help me I will nominate whatever life you have entire of pain."

"menace ?"Voldemort smiled again."You can not jeopardize me. Any scathe you do to me hurts the missy. You could never hurt someone you care about-"

"Wrong."Harry slammed his fist forward into his font. Voldemort fell backwards but Harry had already grabbed his implements of war and slammed them behind his back. Lightning flashed from his fingers to the floorboards, bathing the room in white light. Flames burst out of nowhere and Harry could barely take onto the writhing figure in his arms.

"Karziet !"Harry threw them both to the side as every piece of glass in the room exploded. Harry felt shard burn into his face and paw but he held on grimly. He had to get that ring off ! He reached for it but a dim orb exploded out of Voldemorts fragile hands, taking the end of his fingerbreadth off.

"catch bloody moving !"Harry slammed Voldemort onto the table and grabbed desperately for the pack, tearing it off his finger and flinging it into the fire.

Pythea instantly stopped moving, lying against the tabular array. Harry slowly released her subdivision and looked into her nerve. Her nose was gushing rakehell 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."Thea murmured, her middle still shut."I 'm so sorry."

"It 's ok."Harry drew his scepter and sprayed a dense stream of pee over the electrocution 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 position sprawled on the mesa."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 take never given it too you, I should never-"

"No ! It 's my flaw. I should have been more careful."Pythea opened her oculus and raised her handwriting to brush Harry 's face."I 'm sorry."

"It was my fault."

"I tried to pour down you !"

"Voldemort did. Not you."Harry pulled her closer to him."But it 's alright now."

They stayed there like that for a while. The room smelt like sodden ashes but neither of them wanted to travel. Finally Harry pulled back and smiled.

"semen on, we 'd better get you to Madam Pomfrey. She 'll have got to un-break your nose."Harry shook his head."Sorry I had to hit you so hard."

"You always choose the most direct solvent to any trouble. That is share of your charm."Pythea leant forward and kissed him lightly on his bloodstained forehead. Harry could experience a sherd of glass move under her lips, when she moved back it fell out, clinking onto the table between them. Harry 's inwardness skipped about a million beats.

"We should get you to Madam Pomfrey too."Pythea said breathlessly."You taste of blood."
*


Harry left the seer in the hospital wing and made straight for Snape 's part. 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 farsighted since I had to arise flesh back."Harry reached into his bag and brew out the box with the ring in it, dropping it onto the desk. In short sentences he explained what had happened. When he was finished Snape leant back, gazing at the ring thoughtfully.

"Anyway I think it 's like the diary."Harry sighed."I 'm no-good prof. I should throw seen it."

"How precisely should you have seen it ? On the surface 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 guilty conscience thrower. You have never displayed it before so do not start now."Snape picked up the ring 's box with his farseeing finger."Your experience tells us something. Now I merely have to make for 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 clear. Lucy Kindston was on the other side, plainly out of breath.

"Harry, you need to get to the hospital wing."

"I was just there."

"Well you need to get back."

"Wh ..."Harry 's oculus widened."Thea ? ..."

"Just go Harry."

Harry 's heart and soul was beating fast as he bolted out the door.



If you do n't retrospect then your computer blind becomes like that bit in the halo where the miss comes out and putting to death 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 CRT screen ? Not secure. And if you have high-def ... it 's twenty meters tall.


"Why are n't you doing anything."Harry had his fingers gripped tightly around the bar at the animal foot of the bed.

"There is n't anything we can do Harry."madam Pomfrey said quietly."We do n't make out what is wrong with her."

"Then why are n't you looking."Harry snarled. He could n't see away from the bad in forepart of him. Lying on it, her skin deadly pale, lay Pythea."Why are n't you doing something ? Her spirit 's getting slower."

"You ca n't know that Har-"

"HOW MANY EYES DO I HAVE !"

"I ... Harry please."lady Pomfrey shook her oral sex."There is cypher I can do. Professor Snape is trying to-"

"He 's failing. He wo n't incur anything."Harry snarled."There 's naught on that god damn ring !"

"Then there is zip that can be done."

"I just need to do something !"Harry shuddered with uneasy energy.

"Until we know what the annulus 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 wing as fast as his injured leg would carry him and barged past the bundle marauders.

"Where are you going Harry ?"Ginny yelled at his retreating back.

"Out."

"We should arrive with you to-"

"No."Harry snapped as he tried to put some distance between himself and his friends. Unfortunately none of them were down a leg and could keep up with him easily.

"Harry this is for Pythea is n't it ?"

"No. I 'm going for a base on balls 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 than Harry."Neville broke in suddenly. Harry froze. He had.

"I did."Harry turned slowly."Does anyone know how to go up flock ?"
*


"Harry where are we ?"Hermione panted.

"Mountain."Harry barked as he stabbed his hiking pole into the ground and stomped on. Beside him the gaunt contour of Morfin shook in what could have been a mum chuckle.

"She meant specifically."Lucy Kingston was up ahead, the entirely one of them who seemed to be actually enjoying the upgrade."Those buildings down there look like we 're somewhere in the heart east ?"

"Turkey."Harry winced as he slipped on the loose Rock and had to catch himself on his pole."Frederick North Anatolian. That 's where we are specifically. Where we are relatively is 'Not high up enough'”

"Where are we headed to Harry ?"Lucy squinted up at the snow-covered peaks ahead."What are we trying to encounter ?"

"You 'll see by nightfall."Harry tried to ignore the stabbing pain in the ass in his leg as he forced himself higher and higher."We need to be at the snowline by the time it gets dark 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 oxygen or right clothing."

"Not to the top."Harry glanced up."Probably. Anyway I thought you 'd climbed before ?"

"In Wales, with my parents. Hiking a little."Hermione glanced down the long trail they had followed."Not like this."

"Well you volunteered so go with it. I 'm having a forged time of it than you."Harry glanced up ahead and shake his head."The track 's blocked with rocks this way. We need to go ... that way. For a piece at least. Then we can track back, along the ridge."

"What rooftree ?"

"You ca n't see it yet. It 's past the cliff."Harry pointed with his stick."Looks like we have to scramble just for a bit then it 's a good path. keep open up that ... then ... over past that cliff ..."Harry trailed off, the other 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. brand you dizzy when you spin too fast."Harry paused for a mo to catch a hint."seminal fluid on ... we 've got a yearn way to go and Thea 's dying."

They hiked up into the snowline, Harry did n't let them stop until they could see snow on all four incline. When they could he cleared a R-2 around them and heated the ground so they would be warm.

"Why do n't we just have a fire ?"Lucy sat down crossbreed legged on the ground.

"Because then we wo n't be able to see."Morfin chuckled darkly.

"He 's ripe. You 're going to need to see in the shadow and you wo n't with a fire right next to you."Harry smiled slyly."I can only look in one focus and I 'm not taking chances."

Harry sat down, looking in another guidance and waited. Slowly it got darker and darker. At least the moon was out, that helped a little. Now all they had to do was see ...

"What are we waiting for ?"Hermione asked quietly in the darkness.

"Fire. Look for fire."

"Oh ... !"Hermione 's eye opened blanket with seismic disturbance."Are we looking for-"

"Yes. Now dressed ore and maintain looking."

"Have you ever been there before-"

"No."Harry glared out into the iniquity, waiting for a planetary house. The Nox air grew colder and colder ... whispering past the four seated fig. Morfin was muttering something in parseltounge up his arm. Harry wondered for a moment if he had been right to bring him. No ... of row he had to. Without somebody to apparate them it would deliver taken them ages to get up this luxuriously. Could n't apparate the ease of the way though. funny thing happened if you tried.

"There !"Lucy pointed off into the length."I saw a flash, like a firework."

Harry turned and squinted off in the direction she was pointing. His eye zoomed in to it 's fullest and ...

"That 's it. commodity show."Harry stood and lit his verge. A Spark in the swarthiness."come on."

"We 're going there now ?"Lucy shook her head."You want to journey around in these mickle at night !"

"By morning it 'll have moved."Harry explained."And besides, it is n't Nox for me."
*


Harry started off into the smutty, with Morfin following silently. Hermione looked at Lucy and gulped, before lighting her wand and following them into the murk. It was a terrific journey, following Harry 's unwavering path across the tops of drop and along scree filled route in the dead of night. Hermione kept telling herself it was for Pythea, for Harry 's Friend. She even tried to look forward to the site they would see at the end. But it was n't enough to anticipate the fear.

Every tilt that skipped away from her feet sounded like a crack of thunder.

Ahead of her she could try the strange man Morfin muttering, behind were the stabilize, strong hiking of Lucy 's boot. Occasionally the girl behind her would turn over out and lay a steadying hand on her shoulder, making her jump. Hermione was thankful for the gesture, she just wished Lucy would give her some warning.

"This is it."Harry 's spokesperson was like a tongue through the blackness. Up ahead she could see him crouching beside a rough fissure in the rock, just large 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 prevent calm.

"Nervous ?"Harry asked quizzically."Do n't be. After all we 're a group of teenagers going into a spooky cave in the middle of the mess in the dead of night with a great deal manslayer. What could possibly hap ?"

In the dark, Morfin grinned like a tiger.

"Harry ..."Lucy narrowed her heart."full stop that."

"You 've got nothing to worry about."Harry grinned."They 'll even be other wizards inside. semen on, let get to it. I want to bet on in Hogwarts by morning."

Harry slid into the crease in the rock music and dissipated from view. Hermione steeled herself, then ducked in after him. The cave was really more of a tunnel, crawling forwards in a straight line. Of course what it really was was probably some sort of witching room access that connected two unlike places entirely. Hermione found herself looking at the walls to try to see the joins. Up ahead the flashes were becoming more frequent and a steady red glowing was growing between them. Hermione felt turmoil 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-and-roll. Her mouth dropped undetermined as she saw what lay before them ...

"Merlin 's ... something !"Before them the cave opened up into a cryptical valley, like an axe wound in the side of the quite a little. Towering bulwark rose up on either side of them craggy and good of More caves and pits. In the minor cartoon strip of ground in the centre there was a plantation of what looked the like olive tree diagram twisty and antediluvian like they were sr. than the pot itself. But that was n't the most amazing matter. Flying above them in great drag in curves, and nesting in the tilt ... one C of them ... filling the valley with fiery light and making the entirely place muggins like a life firework show. Filling the valley with birdcall, and the sound reflection of song ...

"Phoenixes."Lucy Kingston breathed in wonder."You brought us to the nesting ground."

"Yep."Harry nodded."Since we do n't get it on what Thea 's got we need something that heals almost everything. capital of Arizona tears is a beneficial bet."

"They do n't cry for just anyone Harry."Lucy pointed out."Otherwise every hospital in the world would have gallons on the stuff."

"There 's at least one that 'll cry for me. Fawkes."Harry squinted up into the brilliant flaming sky."We just need to find out him."

"Easier said than done."

"Why do n't you two ask."

Ask ? Hermione scratcher her chief. It was only when Harry pointed that she realised they were not alone in the valley. Down by the trees there was a radical of four star clustered around a tent, one of them was looking through a telescope while another was jotting down short letter in a large heavy leger. Further down the vale, on a vapid table shaped Rock that jutted out of the leaves, was another group. These wizards were all in black gown and were clustered around a weird bird shaped idol. They were down on their stifle and seemed to be chanting.

Worshippers. Hermione realised. Worshippers and researchers.

"Why do n't you care the nerds."Harry pointed at Hermione first, then turned to Lucy."And you handle the wierdos. It 'll go stave and and see what I can spy with my little eye."

"And me ?"Morfin cracked his neck.

"You stay with me."Harry turned to walk off.

Hermione shared another flavor with Lucy before they began picking their way down towards the trees. Even though she knew that a girl 's life was at stake Hermione could n't help but finger awe and wonder at this place. Going off in the at the drop of a hat, climbing mountains and visiting gravel wizardly sites. Was this what Harry 's life was like all the fourth dimension ?

Below her one of the researchers looked up and noticed her. He rolled his eyes and started towards her.

"Please do n't disturb the birds. Try to not use gaudy photography, they can confuse it with an attack. If you 're camping please do n't play forte music-"

"We 're not tourists."Hermione held her script up.

"Oh, then you 'll be with the other uncanny bast- believers."The researcher pointed back into the trees.

"I 'm not-"

"Mind 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 bust. The other intellect mass come up hers."The man rubbed his frontal bone."Let me guess your champion or your mother or your beau is pale and you think rip are the only cure. I hate to tell you this but-"

"We know they do n't cry for everyone but we think if we can incur one specifically it will."

"Really ?"The investigator finally looked slightly interested. He glanced up at the cliff where Harry was just visible edging up a slim route, peering into cliffs. Several Phoenixes had begun following him interestedly, hopping from tilt to rock eyeing him with spangly oculus."Who are you guy wire anyway ?"

"Well that 's Harry Potter, and we 're his friends."Hermione smiled at the shocked look that appeared on the researchers face. His three friends looked up too, forgetting their notes for a moment. Hermione felt like kicking herself, of course she should have said that start."We 're looking for a phoenix called Fawkes."

"We ... we do n't record names. How could we ? The phoenixes do n't talk."The man kept glancing up at the drop where the shadowy figure of Harry had gone out of site into a cave. Another Phoenix flew over to conjoin the small flock that was following him."We do n't record names I do n't ... I do n't have it away if we can help."

"He would ingest come here during summer death yr, he left England in June."Hermione explained."When he left Hogwarts he looked like he was in his third calendar month since a electrocution day so when he reached you he might have been in his quaternary or fifth.. He 's a male, with a wingspan slightly above average."

"I ... we 'll check."The researcher turned and hurried over to their workbench where he cracked open a heavy book of notes and began flicking through them. Hermione followed him and began reading over his shoulder. Everything was recorded, burnings, reaching, odd demeanour. If Fawkes was in the valley he would be recorded here somewhere.

"What about that ?"Hermione pointed suddenly at an entry hear the middle of the Thomas Nelson Page."That one fit 's the time frame."

"Y ... yes. Yes."The research worker nodded."Phoenix number 713. It would be that one would n't it."The sullen book was slammed conclude and the man turned towards the cliff wall."I 'll take you there."

Hermione set off following, sending micos to Harry and Lucy. She and her guide reached the cliff wall and began climbing up a thin winding path. Lucy caught up to them when she was halfway up.

"You found him ?"Lucy was out of hint. Hermione nodded."Good, those other wizards were weird."

They climbed further up around the rocks, passing many perching phoenix. The dame eyed them as they passed, but did not postdate. After a few minutes they reached a unforesightful ledge with a large cave.

"This is 713 's nest."The investigator 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 audio at all above the rustling of their plume. 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 researcher said softly. His hands twitched like he was looking for a notepad. Hermione steeled herself, and stepped into the cave.

It opened out in the back into a belittled dome, the floor littered with pin and leaves. The remains of past nests. Morfin was crouched at the back, he made no relocation when they entered. He was staring at the same thing they were. The tableau in the centre of the cave.

Harry was down on his knees, his walking stick discarded beside him. His eyes horizontal surface with the optic of the Phoenix in front line of him. He was n't moving or speaking either, the solitary preindication that he was alive was the irksome hike and fall of his chest. The phoenix, Guy Fawkes, was shivering. A large part of it 's back was bald and scabby and it 's wings looked shred. There were plume all around it, an unnatural moulting, and it 's head drooped on it 's farsighted 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. Long overdue. If he does n't cauterise before winter hits then ..."

"What happens if a genus Phoenix does n't sunburn ?"Lucy asked softly.

"We do n't really live. That 's part of the reason we 're watching him."

"Could he ..."Hermione swallowed."If he goes for long enough without a burning day could he ... die ?"

"It 's possible."The researcher answered sadly."We do n't call back it 's ever happened before. The other phoenixes have been avoiding this cave, up till now at least. It 's very matter to behaviour, I was thinking of writing a paper on-"

"Shh ! Something 's happening."Lucy pointed towards the centre of the cave.

Without moving from his spot, Harry had reached out his arm and was slowly stroking the side of Fawkes'read/write head. The golden bird trembled for a here and now, then leant it 's head into Harry 's script, cooing softly. Harry reached back with his other hand into his bag and came back with a small glass nursing 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 deoxyephedrine. Then another. All the while Harry kept stroking Fawkes'head with his digit, and kept eye physical contact. Another pearl in the glass. Another. The glass slowly filled to the brim with glittering liquid before finally Harry took it away and carefully capped it.

Guy Fawkes collapsed out of Harry 's hired hand, dropping onto it 's pugnacious nest. It was as if the emotion had been too much for it. Fawkes just lay there as Harry put a nimble waterproofing magical spell on the tears and turned to the marauders.

"It 's done."

"Harry how did you do that ?"Hermione asked, all-inclusive eyed.

"We talked. About old times."Harry shrugged."He 's lonely."

"I wonder if capital of Arizona could fight those bushed men Voldemort has."Lucy mused."That could be really useful."

"Phoenixes do n't fight back for anyone but their masters."Harry shook his head.

Hermione remembered the flock that had gathered out of doors and had the twinging suspicion that might not be true.

"Anyway. We should go now. Come on."Harry sat down again and reached out a hand to Fawkes."He 's offered to be our ride home."

"Is he well enough to do that ?"Hermione stepped forward.

"He 's very well. He 's depressed not sick."Harry motioned them towards the bird. Hermione sat and placed her hired man on Fawkes'can. Lucy did the same and Morfin slunk out of the trace to join them.

"Thank you for helping us."Hermione turned to the shocked researcher and waved with her devoid mitt."Sorry I could n't remain to see more of your work. Maybe I 'll occur back some time."

"O ... Ok ?"

flaming rose about the marauders and everything dispersed.
*


Snape was just snipping a small objet d'art of hair from the dying seer ( he needed to do more tests ) when two loud haphazardness disturbed his concentration. The first was a rushing plosion. The second was-

"HARRY ceramicist WHAT IN MERLINS NAME-"

"What ? No one 's ever appeared in the heart of the hospital backstage in a gout of flame before ?"Harry replied glibly to Madam Pomfrey as he stood from his posture on the floor. The genus Phoenix behind him made a strait somewhere between a trill and gurgle and turned as if to leave.

"Fawkes !"Harry stepped in front of the phoenix and crouched back down to meet it 's eyes."Thank you."

The phoenix bowed it 's mind a little.

"You know, there 's something I 've learnt recently. Something my Friend are trying to exhaust into me."Harry smiled wryly."Destroying ourselves for the unity we love is never the in good order choice."

Fawkes fluffed his feathers and bowed his chief. A consequence 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 hex effecting her."

"When you left I wondered where you had gone."Snape folded his arms and nodded towards the burning mug on the base."Now I see. You should have warned me before you left."

"Do you cerebrate it 'll run ?"Harry ignored Snape 's wrangle and lifted pocket-sized nursing 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 severalise he was trying to hold open calm."What do I do ? Let her drink in it or ... or let ..."

"pass on it to me."Snape held out his deal calmly. Harry slowly reached forward and dropped the tears into the outstretched hand. Snape slant down and softly tilted Pythea 's mouth open wih his thumb. He undid the conversation stopper and allowed three dip to precipitate onto her mouthpiece. Snape waited. You had to tolerate the tears a minuscule time to seep into the bod then ... another three drops. Then wait.

He continued until the bottle was empty-bellied, upending the final stage few sparkling drops with a whispered prayer of hope. He handed the bottle back and put his fingers to the piffling prophet 's neck. All day her pulsing had been slow and weak. Now ...

"Nothing happened."Harry took the quarrel out of his mouth. Words that sounded even darker than the Sojourner Truth behind them."It did n't work."

"No."Snape took his paw away."It did not work."

"Maybe it just has n't taken hold yet."Lucy Kingston suggested.

"The effect would sustain 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 centre to the tear filled ones in battlefront of him."It is not over yet. This tells us something. There are very few matter phoenix tears do not mend, now that we know it is one of them-"

"Stop."Harry shook violently."period trying to progress to me palpate better. I gave her the halo and it 's killing her and I ca n't do anything to block it."

"There are still boulevard of probe that-"

"SHUT UP !"Harry shouted so violently that madam Pomfrey stepped back in veneration. Snape Did n't move.

"Harry. I will not baby you."Snape spoke slowly."Yes, a portion of the responsibility for what has happened is yours. You gave her the band. But another portion is mine. I worked with that ring for days and detected nothing that could have caused this. I told you it was safe. What has happened is also my responsibility and trust me when I say I will not receive another dying on my conscience. While she still breaths I will continue to trust she can be saved. As should you. Now ... I am taking some of her hair to capital of France, to a world expert on matter such as this. I have worked with him before. I am hopeful. As for what you should do ... I suggest you stay here. And if you have any Sir Thomas More gull notions about running off to distant parts of the world in search of some miracle curative ..."Snape took a late breath."... I suggest you pursue those notions to the fullest because that is what you are best at, and that is how best you can facilitate your friend."

Snape lapsed into quiet, waiting. After a few consequence Harry slowly nodded.

"Good."Snape turned and walked from the hospital annexe, the curl of hair he had cut still in his hand.
*


Pursue your fool notions to the fullest.

Harry slowly walked out of the hospital wing. No one tried to stop him.

Running off to distant portion of the mankind in search of some miracle therapeutic

There was no such affair as a miracle cure. If there was everyone would use it. Harry found his animal foot moving of their own agreement, taking him on intimate routes.

gull notion

I am a fool. Harry found the threshold he had been looking for and got out his wand. It was locked of form, but not even this door was too intemperate to crack. In a few minutes Harry had the charm down and crowd afford the threshold to Snape 's office.

run off to distant division of the world

Snape was the one in Paris. Harry closed the room access quietly. He would n't be disturbed. His eye zoomed around the small room and came to light on one of the desk drawers. Harry checked it for trance then slowly pulled it open and picked up the hoop from inside.

Destroying yourself for the ones you love is never the right choice.

Too bad it 's the but choice left.

"There is no miracle cure. Not without knowing what 's wrong with her."Harry whispered into the morose surface of the anchor ring."Only one living person knows what hex is affecting her. And I need to let the cat out of the bag to him."

Slowly, with trembling bridge player, Harry slid the ring onto his finger.



Did n't intend to leave it this retentive before posting again but I 'm in my last twelvemonth of uni and I had my final twelvemonth project. Then I had the celebration after the project was handed in, which coincided with St Patrick 's day ... Then the jubilation for the end of term a few solar day later ...

Anyways once my head stopped exploding and I could affect without screaming I got on with the news report. My workload is n't high from now on so the writing yard should plunk up a bit from now on.


I do n't own Harry Potter. Neither does THE political science !



Harry slid the ring onto his finger's breadth and sat slowly behind Snape 's desk. How would this study ? How long would it take ? 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 header snapped up from the ring. On the other side of the desk sat Tom brain-teaser, sitting on the chair students used when they were called into this office. It was a wooden, hard backed hot seat but he lolled in it like it was a commode. He was n't quite the like public figure that had came out of the journal. He looked the like age but his feature of speech were ... glassy. His pelt was smooth and pale and his optic had fiddling flecks of red. Through the magic eye he looked ghostly and swoon, but through his true eye the dark overlord looked real.

"What do you mean it depends ?"Harry crossed his arms.

"well we can spill the beans like this ..."brain-teaser smiled. Or we can talk like this.

"Talking out loud is fine Tommy."Harry placed his hand flat on the desk, the ring displayed prominently forward."Tell me what you did the Pythea."

"I took over her mortal. You know that."Tom Riddle chuckled. The red in his eyes sparkled."You punched her as I remember. You do know that that 's no way to process 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 hot seat."That ... that is unfortunate person. You must be crushed."

"Shut up."

"I must extend my deepest condolences."

"Shut up !"Harry slammed his hand down on the desk."Tell me what the curse is ! You obviously hid it well. When I found the ring I removed a shrivelling execration, a samyaza and something I had n't seen before that would have turned blood to lead in my veins. What did I neglect ?"

"The lead spell is called a plumb-sang."

"William Tell me you bastard ! assure me or I 'll ruin you."

"Destroy me ?"Tom crossed his arms."I doubt you could. And even if you could it does not weigh. 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 range of a function. You have the mind of Voldemort at to the lowest degree, which means you have all his caliber. lineament like cowardice and self conservation. I think you will tell me what I want to know."

"Self conservation ? Perhaps."Tom Riddle slant forward."But the fact remains that you have no idea how to destroy this ring."

"Phoenix flame destroyed the diary."Harry gritted his teeth together."And I know a phoenix who 's probably abut set to burn."

"capital of Arizona ...."Tom conundrum paused and licked his lips."That will not work."

"Yes it will. You 're lying again."

"I am not ..."brain-teaser was breathing quickly."I have no pauperism to lie. I am the nighttime Godhead, you have no power over-"

Harry pulled the ring off his finger and the dark lord snapped out of existence mid sentence. Harry held the ring up to his face and said,

"Do n't consider you have any kind of business leader here Tommy."Harry slapped the ring twice against the desk with tatty ringing knocks."You hear me in there ? You 've got no bill of fare here ! Understand ? You will tell me or I will kill you !"Harry slammed the closed chain back on his finger's breadth. The darkness lord reappeared where he had been, his nerve a masque of rage.

"You can not do this to me ! I am Lord Volde-"Harry pulled the mob off again.

"When I put the ring back on ..."Harry snarled."You will drop the whole'I am Maker Snakeface'thing and severalise me exactly what I want to cognize or you 're going to the fire."Once again the dark master reappeared, eyes flaring almost total red. But he said nothing.

"Ready to lecture yet ?"Harry rubbed the band of the ring on his finger."Just say one word. The epithet of the curse, that 's all you have to say and I put the ring back in the draftsman and we never have to speak again."

"I ... You ca n't do this to me."The shadow overlord 's eyes flickered back and forth."You ... you can not ..."

"Just secern me the epithet of the curse. That 's all you have to do to avoid being burnanated. Just order me."

"I ... I am noble Voldemort."Tom enigma 's teeth were gritted closed and his hands were gripped to the slope of his chair.

"No you 're not. You 're a prisoner. A prisoner who 's not even alive so there 's no requirement for me to not kill you. Tell me what the curse is."

Riddle 's breath was coming swift and shallow.

"William Tell me !"Harry yelled."Tell me !"

Riddle snarled like a dog.

"Tell me !"Riddle was shaking. Not in wrath Harry realized ... He was shaking in awe. conundrum was terrified. Harry 's brow furrowed ... Why would he be that scare away ..."You have no idea what happened to Thea ... Whatever happened to her ... it was n't your curse ... it was n't your ring ..."

Voldemort had stopped dead, frozen in place, his center burning like coals.

"wellspring ..."Harry shook his head."That 's something at least."Harry reached for the tintinnabulation and jerked it forward. It would not be active. Harry 's middle jerked up. Tom Riddle was smiling like a cat.

"well well well Potter."Riddle smirked."It seems I do have some power after all."

Harry tried desperately to trail the gang off his finger's breadth, it would not actuate an column inch. Harry grabbed for his wand to slice the finger's breadth off but he could n't prepare his mouth speak the words.

A great mountain of power.

Voldemort 's was in his head word now, the figure of speech gone from the other face of the desk. Harry stumbled and fell against the uncut pit bulwark. Wait ... paries ? Harry flicked his center up. He was in the corridor ! He had n't moved of his own accord ... His fundament were moving again ! Harry clamped his ft down on the floor and slammed his arm against the wall. His wand dropped from his numb fingers.

Feeling a little less in ascendence Mr Potter ?

"MYRTLE !"Harry screamed into the blank air."Myrtle get here or get help !"

career aid from one of my old dupe ?

"soul !"Harry yelled. His verge was back in his hired man ... NO ! Harry forced his fingers to open again and the sceptre clattered down. Harry slammed his foot down and snapped the little paring of Ellen Price Wood like a twig. He could n't let Voldemort loose in his eubstance in the middle of Hogwarts. Could not ...

You think you have a alternative ?

"MYRTLE !"Harry fell to the floor. His muscles were twitching, every flickering part of him was trying to move."avail me !"

Ha ha ha ha !

"Someone !"Harry was on his feet again. Not by selection. He was staggering forward, trying to lay off himself ... but."Mico marauders ! Mico anyone !"Would n't work without a wand.

There is no assistant for you Mr Potter.

Harry frantically tried to scrape the ring off his finger. It was n't moving. Not an column inch. Black smirch 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 sap and moon-sick figure of Draco Malfoy.

"Draco ... It 's not the ring !"Harry croaked out. He had to tell soul what he 'd found."Pythea ! It 's not the gang that made her sick ! It 's ... It 's ... It 's something else !"

"Harry what 's ill-timed with you ?"

Nothing.

"Nothing."Harry clenched his teeth closed."No ! Tell madam Pomfrey ! ... And get this flaming ri- Nothing is damage Malfoy."

Go away you little traitor.

"Harry your ... your eyes."genus Draco 's hand flickered to his sceptre."They 're red."

I 'm just tired. They are bloodshot.

"I 'm just tired."Harry 's neck opening muscles twisted his headway in a rock movement."They are bloodshot."

"Harry maybe we should go to the hospital wing together."Draco 's eyes had gone hard and he had drawn his scepter."I think you may be unwell."

"Unwell Malfoy ?"Harry hissed."Do n't take for granted to-"

"Stop."Draco pointed his wand straight between Harry 's optic."Draw your wand 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 full point pretending anymore. What was it that gave me away ?"

"Harry does n't name me by my conclusion name."Draco 's eyes narrowed above deep black bag."You 're ... something else."

"I am more than something else."Voldemort thrust Harry 's hand forward, displaying the ring."I am your rightful master little dog. Heel."

"Oh wonderful."genus Draco muttered.

"Die !"Harry 's helping hand was toss away forward and a sparkling bolt of lightning flared out. Draco dodged and flung himself to the trading floor. Voldemort spun Harry 's consistency for a second hit but Harry flung the last tincture of his effectiveness onto his treacherous muscles. His arm stopped moving for a fraction of a second.

"Stubefy !"The red spell flashed out of genus Draco 's wand and everything went black.
*


Harry was used to crazy dreams so when he found himself in a dark topographic point full of screaming and hissing he just sat on the story and thought of apples. After a little while the dark faded and Harry heard the rustle of trees.

In the night all around him there were Snake River. Snakes in his plantation ! Harry shuddered, he was in his little dream but he felt drunk. Shaking and unsettled, he looked around. The darkness was seeping in through the tree diagram ... invading his orchard. The Snake River did n't appear to see him, just kept winding their way through the Tree. Four of them whispered their way through the parting. One wrapped it 's way around the ascendant of the enceinte Tree, biting it 's own tail. It 's lidless eyes flashed red.

Harry glanced deeper into the wood. One more than serpent, lying still on the ground. Nailed in post by a wooden stake. Harry looked down at his hand. Another ophidian was wrapped around his finger. A tiny thin snake in the grass with Joseph Black bands.

Weird. Profetic. Harry shook his head. Not again-
*


"Harry."

Hm ... Harry slowly woke.

"Harry wake up so I can distinguish you how unspeakably foolish you have been."

"professor Snape ..."Harry shook the gossamer out of his fountainhead and opened his eyes. The infirmary annex was dark and discharge. Snape was standing at the foot of Harry 's hospital bed. postponement ... Snape had to know !"The pack ! I found something out about-"

"I got the message Harry."Snape 's expression was a blank and raging slate."Draco understood the import of your message."

"You need to help Thea then."Harry struggled to develop 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 instant ... it was stronger. It was almost as impregnable as ever.

"You ... you did it ?"Harry fell back onto his bed."You saved her."

"It was a toxin."Snape gestured towards the seer."Once you made me aware that the ring was not the source of her affliction I began to look further afield. I found a terrible poison. It acted more like a disease than a poisonous substance. As virulent as I have ever seen."

"individual tried to kill her ?"Harry found himself staring into shadows to try to see enemies.

"No Harry. I do not think so."Snape tapped a small feeding bottle he was holding in his bridge player."in conclusion year you were in a approach unremitting state of balmy toxicity. You have built up ... resistances."

"hold ... Are you saying I 've been poisoned too ?"

"Not any more. I cured you when I cured the Pythea."Snape 's eyebrow twitched up."You were poisoned originally. The poisonous substance must make passed to her by some ... exchange of fluid."

"When I was bleeding ..."Harry cast his mid back."She kissed my forehead. She was bleeding too."

"Is that the story you 're sticking to ?"

"So someone tried to kill me."Harry ignored Snape 's ingratiation and scratched his head."I 'm thinking maybe a group of assassin-mercenaries hired by my arch nemesis ?"

"The Lie Gou are the obvious choice."

"Sounds like you have your doubts."

"I do."Snape shook his head."The poison 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 ... howling. As if we have n't had enough odd these past few weeks."Harry rolled his oculus."And what you 're saying is it 's possible there are some former hoi polloi trying to kill me. Wonderful. Just my bloody luck."

"Oh block off complaining Harry."A weak interpreter spoke from the former bed."You would n't know what to do with a deadening life."

"Thea !"Harry slid out of his canvass and stepped over to the little prophesier 's bed."Are you alright ?"

"I feel fearful Harry."Pythea raised her hand shakily up to his face."I tried to kill you."

"I poisoned you."Harry shrugged."Besides, after all the times you 've saved my life you can probably try to kill me like five or six more clock time before I get angry."

"I never saved your life Harry."Pythea smiled weakly."I just gave you the impetus to help yourself."

"You 're being all seerey again. plosive it."Harry chuckled.

"I 'm just trying to get you in a good 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 shoulder, silently backing him up."We also know that the doughnut is authoritative to Voldemort. There must be something to find-"

"No !"Harry cut her off."The matter does nothing but lie and control, just like Voldemort. I 'm going to demolish it as soon as possible."

"I agree."Snape nodded."We can safely assume that it was like the journal. A cakehole for anyone who tried to follow the darkness lord 's early the likes of. A balk to any curious investigation."

"It does n't matter what it is."Harry shook his head."It 's a malignant neoplastic disease on the man. Whether by Fawkes, some former capital of Arizona or by some other method acting entirely that thing is toast."

Harry spoke definitely, but he could n't help but feel a petty doubt. Like a snake in the grass curled around his heart.

"We have to destroy it."Harry repeated, one-half to himself."We have to."
*


"What do you stand for they 're not flaming ?"Harry asked pointedly over the breakfast table.

"I mean they 're not."Hermione held out the letter for him to record."I wrote to the researcher as soon as you told me to but it 's too recently. The phoenix have stopped flaming for winter."

"For winter ?"Harry rolled his eyes."What do they like about wintertime ? They 're on attack !"

"They 're bird as well as wizard creature Harry."

"Wonderful."Harry shuddered."When do they terminate hibernating ?"

"Not till spring."

"Great. I have to stock this mortal parcel around for months."Harry hefted his bag on his shoulders. Since the incident the band had always been with him. In a lead box. He was n't taking luck."And until then I 've got cypher I can do."

"You could study."

"goose egg useful."

"wellspring you could ask Professor Snape for something else to do."Hermione glanced up at the high table where the potions schoolmaster was absent. Not unusual these days.

"I know, but I do n't know If there 's anything to be done."Harry shook his head and gestured to the report lying discarded on the board between them."Voldemort seems to be content with random bit of random small-scale unpleasantness right now. I ca n't avail thinking he 's working up to something horrendous."

"Like diagon alley ?"

"Or worse."Harry shrugged."No way to tell."

"Do you think the guild has any lead-in ?"

"I think they 'd probably tell me."Harry replied honestly."Snape 's been pretty proficient about keeping me in the closed circuit so far."

"Do you acknowledge 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 set off turning up to marauder training Roger Huntington Sessions. You 've been missing them since the whole gang 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 young woman shook her top dog."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 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 session. Maybe beating the lot of you around the attic will stool me find better."
*


Snape slowed as he approached the dark stairwell and began walking down carefully. Some of the footmark were almost as smooth as meth. The stair twisted down and down into the rock beneath Malfoy Manor. Much further than any of the basement. Snape placed a lightness hand on the rampart as he proceeded down, his wand the lone reservoir of light, his footsteps the only sound.

He rounded the final corner and had to shield his eyes as guttering torches came into view. Stretching out before him was a long corridor of blank iron doors, stained smutty from rust fungus and long decomposition. The decay was of no upshot, it was n't the tone of the construction that kept the captive in this situation. Snape nodded to the two jailers, member of the parliamentary law, before turning to the third shape standing before him.

"You 're late."Helen Newington Wills growled.

"Yes, I am. I was busy."Snape replied."Your pointedness ?"

"I 've had to wait 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 torch faded into the shadow behind them. Once again Snape was enveloped in secrecy, the cells themselves were soundproof. Moody finally broke the calm."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 think it 's right."Moody ignored the question, shaking his promontory roughly."It 's not right. You 've got us pussyfooting around these bastards. Offering them books and shorter sentence and even freedom if they help us."

"And you think it is ineffective ?"

"I think it 's bloody wrongly is what it is !"Moody snarled."These men should all be behind bars for life not waited on hand and foot."

"We need information."

"Then we should be getting out the thumbscrews !"Moody thrust out a hired man to blockade Snape moving."You seriously do n't cause a problem with offering them all this stuff and nonsense ?"

"Offering ? No. We can offer them whatever we want. It does n't mean we will ever give it to them. And so long as they are never given an chance to compare notes ? I have no problem."Snape reached out and pushed Moody 's paw out of his way."Trust that if I deem it requirement I will possess no hesitation in deploying the thumbscrews."

"Oh of that I 've got no doubt."Dwight Lyman Moody 's eye looked Snape up and down in a schism second 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 gaiter. Snape fought the urge to wrench up his olfactory organ."One of the foul-smelling outlaw you-know-who dragged to his cause."

"That does not mean he is useless to us."

"Captured by Harry."Moody fixed Snape with a stare while still walking."At Miss Zhao 's residence. Last year, you remember."

Snape stiffened. So the man he was about to talk to had been involved in the attack on Natalie 's life. There had been a great deal of unpleasantness that night. Natalie had been reluctant to talk about it at length but-

"Does that change things ?"Dwight Lyman Moody broke Snape 's view, his spokesperson good of dark insinuation.

"Why would it ?"Snape forced himself to reply.

"I can still get the thumbscrews."

"Perhaps later."

Helen Newington Wills came to a plosive speech sound before a threshold indistinguishable from the 100 of other doors.

"His name 's sheepherder Kilkenny."Helen Wills put his script on the room access."Used to be a cursebreaker for Gringots."Moody tapped his wand on the door and Snape heard a bolt of lightning slam back. The old auror pushed the door out-of-doors and allowed Snape inside. The cell within was bare. Bed. death chair. Sanitary adeptness. Snape had made sure the cells were as stark as possible to advance the captive to break. Sometimes they would tattle just out of boredom. As Snape entered the hunched figure sitting at the foot of the bed straightened.

"hullo Mr Kilkenny."Snape sat down on the hard-backed death chair."I have been informed that you have something to separate me."

"Yeah,"The man reached up and scratched behind his ear."But I got some demands."

"Do you think you are in a perspective to demand ?"Snape was shocked to ascertain his voice was still steady.

"I 've got information. Stuff you need to cognise. But I 've heard a lot of 'might'and 'maybe'and 'If your selective information goat god out'."The captive hunched."I want some guarantees."

Snape met Shepherds eyes and gently pushed. A roadblock of Occlumency met him. Of course it would be there. There would birth been no degree in this whole exercise if it had n't. Snape took a present moment to see his response. He could offer whatever he wanted, but it would not do to seem to offer too much. There was a bare chance that this man was not a fool.

"So long as your information is avowedly you may consume some concessions."Snape replied steadily."A upright quality of sustenance. Books. Perhaps a windowpane. Everything after that is depended on how useful I consider the entropy you give me is. So I suggest you begin taking steps to convince me."

"I want to get out of here."The man sneered."I want twelvemonth off."

"As the Wizengamot no incertitude informed you at your tryout you have been sentenced to forty eld here. I understand the charges were several. Using the dark arts, breaking and entering, attempted murder-"Snape found his throat going hard at the shoemaker's last word and slammed his emotions down behind a paries of emptiness."And that is in addition to your master copy time for role player that you never completed."

"Give me something !"

"Give me a ground to give you something."

"I ..."Kilkenny opened his mouth to shout something but snapped it shut, bringing himself into check."I 'm not Pres Young. I may not subsist forty years."

"Then it is in your best interest to blab, and talk soon."Snape tilt forward."I am loosing patience."

"I ... I 'll talk."The prisoner hung his head."I do n't really let 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 table. Not just skimming off the top, selling closed book too. People 'll pay a lot of money to know that Mr lowlife has almost emptied his account or that some former guy makes regular payment to someone. Businessmen and the comparable you know ? Checking up on their rivals. Investors ..."

"I can see how that information could be utilitarian to some."Snape indicated very clearly with his prosody that he was not one of those some.

"Right, right."Kilkenny nodded."But see when the dark lord found out what I did he got all excited. Well ... not excited exactly. He does n't really get energize but he does this affair where his optic heartbeat and he hisses a bit. Sometimes his nostrils flair-"

"Mr Kilkenny-"

"rightfield, right ... anyway. He told me to get in touch with some of the masses who still worked at Gringots. masses in the Lapp stemma of piece of work as me."

"Go on."Snape was very careful not to let his interest show.

"He got me to check on some things."

"Specifically."

"The activity on certain vaults."

"Specifically."

"fountainhead first he wanted to check up on a vault. Get the track record of who had accessed it and when."

"What bank vault ?"

"LX three. cryptical one."

"Who owns it ?"

"Do n't know."

"What did the platter say ?"

"Do n't know. Did n't study em."

"You did n't say them ?"Snape raised his eyebrows."An enterprising man like yourself ? Always looking for an advantage ? Are you trying to differentiate me you did not even glance at the records before you handed them over ?"

"Look I had the dark bloody God Almighty watching my every move !"Kilkenny shuddered."There 's enterprising and then there 's just stupe !"

Snape watched the prisoners eyes as he spoke. He could not take his mind but still ... Snape had not survived everything he had gone through by being dependent on any one acquirement. Even without legillimancy he could be reasonably confident as to whether a man was telling the truth. On the other deal, this man had deceived the goblins for years. He would never have survived if he was a bad lier.

"You said you contacted hoi polloi still at Gringots. What were their public figure ?"

"fountainhead there was only one really ..."Kilkenny scratched his pass."William Blake Bees, he 's in the investment department."

"And he will confirm your story ?"

"Yeah ..."Kilkenny twitched.

"What are you not telling me ?"Snape asked sharply.

"Goblins found out he lifted the files."Kilkenny slumped."He 's in hiding somewhere. Do n't know where."

"Would he know who owned bank vault LX three ?"

"Well ... yeah. He 'd possess to to get the files."

"Very well."Snape stood."I will consider this."He turned towards the door.

"Wait !"Kilkenny called out after him."Do n't you want to get it on about the other thing he asked."

"early thing ?"Snape asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, he asked me to check up on another vault."Kilkenny said desperately, trying to hard currency in on every scrap of knowledge."I know who owned this one. Blake told me because he thought it was weird."

"How so ?"

"It was the Lestrange vault."Kilkenny spread his hands."The Lestranges worked for him. If he 'd wanted something out of it he could have just got them to go in and get it."

"What did he care to get it on ?"

"Just who had accessed it. When I told him that no-one, not even a hob, had been in it since the Lestranges went to prison years ago he seemed ... relieved. wellspring not relieved exactly. He does this matter with his neck-"

"Mr Kilkenny."Snape cut him off."Was there anything else ?"

"wellspring ... no. I just-"

Snape turned silently and rapped twice on the threshold. Moody opened it and Snape stepped through. As Snape put his hired hand on the door to swing it closed the prisoner called out shrilly.

"Please assist me out of here !"He wrung his manpower."I 've done bad things but I 'm not a bad soul ! 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 iron slab shut and Kilkenny piteous call 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 gall rising in his gut."And better food."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said."Snape spun and swept off down the corridor towards the stairs. He had a large deal to think about. With his mind occupied his fingers twitched towards the square maculation of scar on his arm.



As I promised, more shop at updates. Although at the prison term of writing this I am still reeling from the end of Battlestar Galactica. After watching it I was kind of in a daze for a few days, just wandering around muttering 'so say we all'and humming all along the watchtower. Should be OK by posting time though.

Update : place time. Yep ! Fine.


I do n't own Harry ceramist. On a totally dissimilar note I have some books about parry Hotter ...



Snape tapped his finger's breadth on the hard oak surface of his desk. There was something in what Kilkenny had told him, something important. But his creative thinker could not get a clutch 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 have given the prisoner what he wanted ?

It did not matter now. Snape shook his headway. What he needed to think about now was how to act on the information he had been given. He needed to sort out through the darkness and find the truth. Snape 's eyes flickered to a locked chest in the box of his office. Within was locked Dumbledore 's pensive, the old man 's gift to him. Snape did n't be intimate why, it had been empty when he received it, and the two of them had not been on the best 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 and clicked the latches out-of-doors. He levitated the wakeless bowling ball over to fend on his desk and stepped back. He was about to cabbage his wand to his temple when a view faded into his mind like a ghost.

It was an image, some suppose affair. Dumbledore sitting in his office in the dark, the lonesome light the faint silver grey glow of memories. Alone.

Snape lowered his wand.

"Was this persona of the intellect ?"Snape murmured."You took no council but your own. Your own computer storage to guide you. Living in the past."

Another image faded into his head. Dumbledore leaning over the silver surface gazing into a cheek in the mirror surface. A girls fount, with the like deep eyes as the old man's.

"I suppose it would be more difficult to let go of guilt ..."Snape conceded."When the computer memory is so close. He could walk with his sister 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 Dumbledore would live over. It would be the present moment of her death. Not knowing who had really fired the turn that killed her ... He would have relived it again and again, trying to see out. Living in guilt. Or wallowing in it.

Pathetic.

Snape could n't check himself from thinking it. Even now he could receive only tokenish understanding for the old motley fool. But the one matter he knew with an iron certainty was that he could never let himself suit like him. He had to take council other than his own. Reliving the encounter would tell him nothing he did not already have sex, allowing someone else to see it might.

His thought process instantly turned to Natalie, but he had already sent her on assignment. Analysing a Recent epoch plan of attack site. He could anticipate her spinal column but ... Who else ? Minerva was an obvious choice, but her idea worked too similarly to his own. She would take in no insights he himself had not already had. Michelson ? No. As much as Snape had come to confide the man for his fighting talent shade was not his stiff courting. So perhaps ... well he had promised to keep him updated.

Snape summoned his patronus and whispered a message too it before allowing it to float off through a wall. He did not give to wait long, after just a minute or so there was a knock on the door.

"Come in Harry."The doorway swung open and the student stepped inside. He appeared to give just run a marathon."You have been training ?"

"How did you guess ?"Harry walked over to the desk. Snape deliberately did not cite how much the boy was limping."What did you call me for ? The message was kind of cryptic."

"Here."Snape drew his sceptre to his temple."It will be simpler if you see for yourself."He drew the remembering out of his head and let it flow softly into the pensive."Do you know what this is ?"

"A memory."Harry shifted around so that he could look down into it. He lean 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 forward. The boy nodded and dipped his head into the bowl. His body went slack and Snape knew that at that here and now Harry was seeing dark stairs.

He waited several mo, tapping his desk in restlessness before Harry lifted his face from the silver liquid.

"When did this happen ?"Was the first thing the boy said.

"Just now."Snape scooped up the memory and fed it back into his judgment. He wanted the cognition fresh."I would like to listen your interpretation."

"Why ?"Harry crooked an eyebrow.

"Because it may be dissimilar from mine."

"But why me ?"

"Just tell me what you saw Pott-"Snape bit off the end of that sentence and licked his lips. He tried again."I have been thinking hard on these events, very knockout, and I have ... met, shall we say ... cognitive blocks. I need unused middle. 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 field, right ..."Harry carefully dropped back into a death chair, once again sparing his spite leg."Well ... clearly Voldemort was after two separate things ... It sounded like the for the first time thing was ... was something he wanted to get. The affair in bank vault sixty-three. It belonged to individual else and he was looking for it, or wanted to see, or something."

Snape was about to nod, but thought better of it. Better to get an unbiased sight even though Harry 's thought mirrored his own.

"So that was something he wanted to get. The early thing ..."Harry scratched his head."If he had wanted something out of the 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 field person.

"I remember ..."Harry 's brow creased."I remember death year ... right at the start. The order of magnitude meeting I listened in on. Did n't you say the dark Divine had you experimenting with polyjuice potion so it would work with non-humans ? Could the goblins have been the target ?"

Snape schooled his face with an endeavor of will. He had not made that connection.

"And that was about the clock time Barty Crouch vanished into thin air."Harry put forward."And his speciality is sneaking, disguises ... Am I making any sense ?"

"So what you are saying."Snape said slowly."Is that the dark lord guessed, or cognize, the emplacement of an item, questioned a onetime cursebreaker to be sure and sent his undecomposed spy in to acquire it. Is that what you are saying ?"

"Yes ?"Harry said hesitantly."But wait ... that does n't make any sensory faculty. Barty Crouch was missing for about a year. If he tried to interrupt in would n't he either wield 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 demand preparation ... enquiry ... 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 skills to be a cursebreaker."

"The hobgoblin check their employees for disguises."

"They check for wizardly disguises."Harry smiled."What are the two most salient features of Crouch ? That everyone remembers ? His blonde hairsbreadth and the fact that he looks very young for his age. If he dyed his hair and grew a face fungus he could probably go unnoticed without any sorcerous help whatsoever."

"Such a person would be memorable."Snape could feel the while clicking into place in his creative thinker."I wonder if William Weasley reminiscence such an individual."

"Who ?"

"Bill Weasley."

"Ah !"

"If we could come up what Crouch took we might be able to guess the shadow lords plans."Snape stood."Thank you Harry. Your insights were most helpful. I will inform you if Weasley recalls anything."

"Right, you do that."Harry grinned evilly."I 'll search for a rat in his bolthole."

"A ... rat ?"

"Mr Blake Bees, the witness in Gringots. The one in hiding."Harry tapped his synagogue knowingly."If he was in the business someone at the Tarot may know how to get in touch with him. He can tell us who 's bank vault it was, and maybe more."

"return backup."The words dropped from Snape 's sassing before his mind had even formulated them."Do not go to that place alone."

"For god 's sake !"Harry threw his hands up."I keep telling people this, the tarot card is n't severe. The masses there might coldly Order a hit on you but they 're not going to smash a bottle against the table and do the job themselves."

"Even so."Snape raised a manus to hold back Harry from commenting further."As we have seen today, four centre see more than two."

"Not more than my eyes-"

"return someone Harry."Snape allowed the tonicity of instruction to figure his voice."A piranha or an Holy Order extremity, I do not manage. But you will require someone."

Harry 's eye twitched and he opened his lip as if to comment again, then shut it suddenly. He nodded.

"Fine. Understood."Harry made a mocking bow."I hear and obey oh glorious leader."

"One early small matter."Snape drew his wand."If something goes improper you will postulate a way out."

"I keep telling you-"

"Not just now Harry, in former situations as well."Snape raised his wand to Harry 's face."Hold quite still."

"Is this going to anguish ?"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 eyebrow as Harry pointed to a large pub with a star on it 's sign."He told you to bring backup."

"He told me he did n't deal who."Harry pointed out.

"Harry I ca n't fight."

"I do n't need you to."Harry led the visionary towards the door."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 conniption, someone who could do nicety. Do any of the marauders fit that flyer as well as you ? Draco maybe, but it was full moon finish night."

"Padma, Hermione, Ginerva ..."

"Ginny 's grown less predictable."Harry shook his oral sex."Padma 's an outside potential but really it had to be you. This whole thing is about gathering information and who better to aid than a oracle. I need you to watch masses 's eyes."

"I ca n't read minds any more Harry."

"And yet you still know what people are thinking half the time."Harry reached the door and stopped, his hand raised."Please Thea, issue forth in with me."

"Harry ..."Pythea took a deep breath."Fine."

Harry smiled and pushed the door open. Within the place looked like any former pub in a coastal town. There was a roaring fervency in the grating and prospect on the paries of fish and fish related activities. The low murmuring 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.

Order whatever you want.

Harry flashed into Pythea 's mind before turning to the barmen and ordering his own drink. After Harry had handed over his money he led them to a table near the fire and slid a coaster under the vaticinator 's wine.

"crapulence are substance 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 swallow and carefully placing the glass back on the mat."And what does yours imply ?"

"fountainhead, it 's favorable and expensive ..."Harry pored the whiskey into his course of study."What do you believe ?"

"Was it requirement to buy such an expensive feeding bottle ?"

"It never hurts here to point you have money."

"And why Irish people ?"

"Well,"Harry grinned."Got to support my mother country do n't I ?"

"So what do we do now ?"Pythea glanced around, still speaking quietly."Simply look for someone to find ?"

"That 's now it works."Harry shrugged. He raised his crank to his lips but did not drink any. It would definitely not do to miss focus here. He tried not to even breath in any of the fumes."Besides, it 's a nice place to spend the afternoon."Harry gestured out the window at the coast below. The winter winds were whipping the waves to bill before crashing them against the beach. Out further a few sauceboat were still visible, bobbing up and down.

"I suppose it is not so bad."Pythea smiled."This place is quite pleasant. I did not have a bun in the oven it to be so ..."

"Homely ?"

"Peaceful."Pythea glanced around."That man has absinthe. What does that mean ?"

"Ca n't think ..."Harry scratched his head."It either means he 's selling heroin or buying man organs. Ca n't think which."

"And you say this home is safety ?"Pythea quirked an eyebrow.

"I said safe. I did n't say nice."

Pythea shook her fountainhead and chuckled, then grew quiet 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 mesa towards the peppiness haired vernal man at the other end.

"He does n't expect like anyone I know."beak Weasley shook his head tiredly."Look I know what Barty stoop face like, all the order do. If I had seen him I would have-"

"He would feature concealed his identity."Snape waved his hand over the pic and the face grew a short byssus."Or this ?"The picture 's hair went black."tone at the centre. They will not sustain changed."

"flavour if I had seen him I would kn-"measure froze suddenly."Can you give him bald ? Keep the beard."

Snape made the changes.

"And brownish byssus. Make it bushier."notice leant over the photo."I ... I do call up him."

"Do you."Snape kept his voice equanimity as the slice fell together."When ?"

"Only a few meter ... He was working in a different department."

"Working on what ?"

"I do n't know."Bill rubbed his frontal bone."They do n't secern us what early mass are working on."

"How long was he there ?"

"I do n't bed. 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 mind."The goblins are getting rid of humans left, in good order and centre. They 're looking for an alibi. 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 lean forward."And find out who owned hurdle 60 three."

"I could get fired !"

"You could be killed."Snape replied coldly."The hobgoblin tend to be very point about threat to their gold. So I suggest you find out carefully."
*


"Is this the shoes ?"Harry looked up at the dingy and collapse apartment building.

"This is the address the man mentioned."Pythea glanced down at the bedding material strew street. Her expression was ... not impressed.

"Certainly something going on up there."Harry squinted up."The top floor 's all fuzzy."Harry blinked a mates of times 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 lead a few steps away please Harry."Pythea was staring, close eyed, at the sky."Just combine me."

Harry stepped back, frowning. For a few moments the seer stood there, staring up at the sky. Then she nodded.

"There is someone up there."

"well that 's promising."Harry drew his verge."You apparate back to Hogwarts I 'll check it out."

"No."

"Damn."

"You must have known I was going to say that."

"I thought you were going to be a bit more snarf. Like'I 'll never abandon you .'or 'Damn you Harry you do n't make to go it alone !'”

"I 'm thought the issue would be greater if I was less profound."

"Well, we should get on with it then."Harry stepped off the sidewalk towards the building."Stay behind me and warn me if your crazy 6th 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 strawman door undecided. It creaked a slight. The interior was even more decrepit and covered in graffiti. Harry 's eye flickered up the building. It was n't totally vacate, one man sleeping on the second trading floor, two children apparently home alone on the succeeding storey up, a cat ... Then the blankness of the top trading floor. Harry kept his eye trained on the top floor as the two of them climbed up and up. As they reached the top floor Harry slowed to a crawl.

The threshold was already open.

"visionary senses seeing anything ?"

"No."Pythea was hanging back a few steps."Are yours ?"

"No ..."Harry paused and turned, smiling."This is a fun first gear particular date is n't it ?"

"Harry this is hardly the time !"

"Fine."Harry shrugged and turned back."cover to seriousness."Harry silenced the door and disillusioned both himself and Pythea. In the blue light of his eye he saw the little seer motion picture out the marauder glasses. He pushed the door open and edged into the dark little flat. The New York minute he got through the doorway his eye shut down, plunging him into uncomfortable darkness. After over a year of superintendent 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 book binding of his neck."God I hope it 's you doing that."

Harry glanced into a dark and empty loo before sliding forward. Blood. Harry sniffed again, definitely blood. Harry put his hand against the threshold to the bedroom and pushed it open slowly. A soundbox lay sprawled on the floor, blood seeping into the rug, cervix slashed ear to ear. Blake Bees, the Gringots informant. They were too late. Harry aimed his wand and whispered a charm. A lilliputian red luminescence was visible for a here and now above the dead man. Still warm.

A midget tap came on the book binding of Harry 's cervix 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 percept certainly. Life up here did n't necessarily entail the liquidator was still here. It could get just been the victim slowly and excruciatingly bleeding out.

"Thea leave now."

"Harry-"

"This time I 'm se-"A wavelet of air was the solitary warning Harry got. He dropped to the floor as the knife flashed over his school principal. In a splinter of a second base he spun."Depulso !"Harry aimed the tour behind him, a sharp shrieking sounded and Pythea was thrown back through the open threshold. A moment charm slammed the door shut but Harry was already rolling to his feet with his wand outstretched.

"Augmenta."The stream of pee splashed against the invisible bravo, 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 dumb killer was on him, forcing him to the floor with inhuman strength. Harry was using all his metier to save the leaf blade from his throat, his other arm pinned, fingers curling around his radiocarpal joint. He could n't hold on, the piddle made it too slippery. finisher and closer.

Harry let his legs fold and heard his opponent grunt as the weight hit his branch. Harry jabbed his head forward and hit something, he kicked out and snapped the legs out from under the silent grampus. A twanging thunk sounded right next to his head and Harry saw a tongue appear from nowhere, dropped from blunt fingers. Harry was on it like a flash and stabbed forward. Red blood fountained from unseeable anatomy. The digit around his arm tightened like a frailty ... then finally released.

Before Harry 's centre the Lie Gou assassin flashed into view, falling to the floor. The spell attenuation as the lifetime ebbed out of it 's caster. The door burst open.

"Harry how defy y-"Pythea 's eyes flashed to Harry, on the trading floor and covered in blood. Her eyes went wide.

"I 'm exquisitely. 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 pop you."

"They always are."Harry slowly pushed himself to his feet and took a breath. Blood filled his nose."We need the order here. They should go over the place ... maybe find something."Harry 's leg was buckling under him and his eye cast around for him walking joint. It was lying right in the heart of the pool of blood. He let it be.

"Harry ... you 're not aright."A pattern person would birth said 'are you aright', but they would have been foolish to do it.

"I 'll be fine, later. It 's just ... this is one of those clip I 'd rather be Jack."Harry laughed humourlessly and limped over to the door.
*


An hour later and Harry was sitting on the frigidity steps in a courtyard at Hogwarts. Back at the insipid a law roadblock had been set up and aurors dressed as fuzz were trying to hold on people out. Inside more aurors would be peering around and poking things. Harry had left, he had wanted to detain 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 deliver brought the seer."Snape 's interpreter did not catch Harry by surprise. Neither did his Holy Scripture or the stern tone.

"I know. It was a mistake."Harry nodded, not looking as the professor approached."I could own got her killed."

"I told you to impart competent backup."

"And you were right."Harry 's voice was deadened."Can we delight move on."

"As you wish."Snape conjured a hot seat and sat down face-to-face Harry. He looked tire. Harry was sure he himself looked worse.

"They find anything up there ?"

"No, and at this point I do not expect they will."Only someone who knew Snape would possess detected the thwarting in his voice."There were signs that sure papers had been burnt just before you arrived here, whether by the victim or his killer whale it matters picayune. There is cypher here."

"Tell me your investigating turned up something."Harry glanced up at Snape, not daring to hope. Snape shook his head.

"Damnit ...."Harry dropped his head to his hands."utterly end then. Unless we ask the goblins directly. Or we could get Kingsley to ask them-"

"No."Snape shook his mind."I believe our expert hope is to allow William Weasley to evolve the documents we need. If we petition the hobgoblin directly at the same time they will certainly become suspicious."

"So we do what ? time lag and hope that Bill succeeds ?"Harry snorted."What do we do in the mean time ? Just sit on our hands ?"

"I have many things to do."Snape said dryly."As for you ... I suggest you try to induce a Merry Christmas."

"Ha !"Harry laughed mirthlessly."That 's not going to happen-"Harry 's words were cut off as a crossbow bolt thudded into his back.
*


For some reason the previous chapter got chopped off weirdly. There was meant to be a whole nother scene but somehow it just dropped off the face of the earth. 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 beginning of this chapter just as easily. Just letting you know I did n't signify to give you another cliffhanger.



Harry spun like a top and fired madly at the white form on the roof. It ducked like a specter but Harry could still see him dashing away. Ignoring Snape 's cries Harry shot a sweetener at the tile and was jerked off his animal foot, clattering onto the tile. His leg screamed in pain as Harry scrambled to the flush of the roof. The white figure was far away, Harry knew he would n't be able to catch him. Harry stabbed his baton forward and fired a curse. The figure shielded easily without even stopping. Harry spun his wand like and felt the tile beneath his jump. He tried to stay on top of them as they hovered and spun forwards. He shut his center and used only the magic trick one, his literal eye could n't follow fast enough. The image was already too far away, too fast. Harry yelled,

"Tempesto !"The malarky smashed into his side and threw him through the air, barely in control, before thudding to the grass and rolling. Everything hurt. Harry rolled to his groundwork and stumbled towards the woodland. He could see the chassis belting through the tree. Harry dashed towards the dark fo-

danger !

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 Gunter Wilhelm Grass and stopped, wand outstretched and breathing heavily.

Through the nighttime trees, in the cold light of his eye, Harry could see his assassin standing out of view. Dotted all around were centaurs, each one with a arrow notched to his bow. They were just waiting for him to cross the line back into the Ellen Price Wood. Harry glanced at one of the arrows embedded in the land, they wanted to kill him. The centaurs would n't cash in one's chips the phone line, apparently the unknown, white clad assassin had no such compunction.

Harry stood up and watched as the centaurs and their strange ally turned and slowly retreat 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 of lightning. park mistake."

"Harry do not expect me to be surprised by the fact that you 're alive."Snape crossed his arms.

"Spoilsport."Harry tugged the bolt out. It 's point was crushed and blunted."It 's the coating. It 's got enough magical spell to bar a tank."

"Give me the arrow."

"Bolt."

"Cease this Harry."

"Fine."Harry rolled his eyes and tossed the arrow to his teacher."Who do you think it was ?"

"How could I possibly know that Harry."Snape said sharply."In a usual office I am sure the aurors would ask if you had any enemies however-"

"Futile."

"Correct."

"You think it was the centaurs ?"Harry glanced back into the forest. There was nothing to be seen now, not a thing was moving."Do you think they hired someone to pour down me ?"

"Why would they wish to do that ?"Snape 's middle narrowed.

"I ... finale meter I met Centaurus they said I was an abomination."Harry said hesitantly."They said they 'd shoot down me if I ever went into the timberland again."

"And you ..."

"Went into the forest again."

"I am not remotely surprised."

"But why would they wait this longsighted to try something ?"Harry scratched his foreland."Does n't add up."

"The ministry has substance of contacting the centaur elders."Snape said quietly, staring into the dark forest."I will try to take a leak contact."

"Carefully."

"Yes, carefully."

"Definitely."
*


"Have a skilful christmas Harry. Keep training."Ginny half smiled, faintly at Harry before turning and trudging away from the Hogwarts gate through the snow. Hunched over with her manpower in her air pocket, the smile would n't throw fooled most masses so it certainly did n't fool Harry.. He thought about calling after her but instead shook his head and turned to Ron and the twins, who had come to clean the school age Weasleys up.

"Try to wee-wee sure she smiles at to the lowest degree 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 darkness marks just a little LE ... perminant. Every piranha 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 doorway, leaning against a pillar. His grimace was grey and lined, obviously last night 's moon had n't been kind to him. Harry was n't in a mood to be sympathetic.

"You could at least show here some homo sympathy."Harry said flatly.

"And what would that do ?"Draco growled."It would just give her Leslie Townes Hope for something that ca n't ever happen."

"Why the Inferno not ?"

"Shut up ceramicist. You do n't understand."

"Oh god that again."

"You ca n't ever empathise !"Dragon shoved Harry away roughly.

"I understand that you 're giving the frigidity articulatio humeri to a young woman who 's parents are still being fed on drips."Harry said harshly. He 'd tried everything else, maybe bluntness would get through Draco 's thick skull.

"I do n't want to injure her."

"You are hurting her !"Harry pointed away at the distant public figure, trudging through the snow a distance away from her brothers.

"I 'm a werewolf."Draco muttered."I ca n't do ... I ca n't have a girlfriend."

"Lupin apparently thinks differently."

"fountainhead that 's blinking lupin 's choice is n't it !"genus Draco spun and fixed Harry with an furious spotlight."Just shut up about affair you do n't understand Potter."

"I understand enough to know that the loup-garou thing is just an excuse."Harry spat back. Dragon 's eyes flashed wide, the news biting trench. Harry pressed on."So what you 're effectively doing Dragon, making Ginny miserable for no good grounds and then claiming it 's because you 're being noble. Like you 're taking the high flat coat when really all you 're doing is-"

"Shut up."Draco 's wand was in his helping hand somehow."Just shut up Harry. Shut up."

"Fine."Harry held his script up."Whatever. I can see I 'm not going to get a straight result out of the twisted oaf of conflicting reasoning, self hatred and false sacrifice shaped by the Twin forces of teenage arrogance and lust you call your brain. Come on, we 've got a little project for this holiday season. It 'll be fun."

"Oh really ? And what is this project ?"Draco asked sharply.

"Simple, the ring."Harry patted his bag."I do n't buy that capital of Arizona flaming is the lonesome way to destroy the matter. Got to be something else that can do the job, we 're going to find it."

"So essentially ..."Draco narrowed his optic."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 force of phoenix flame, and neither of them were pleasant. One of them at least seem prosperous to aquire, at least at first-class honours degree ...

"What do you entail 'You burnt it'?"Harry asked shrilly.

"Burnt it geezerhood ago."Markus Michelson shrugged."The day after you killed it. Went back down into the chamber of secrets and torched the thing. Nothing left but ash tree and I scattered them pretty widely."

"You ... you torched the bassilisk ..."Harry sighed."You did n't happen to keep a tooth as ... as like a keepsake or something ?"

"The teeth and the venom are the most grievous part, whole reason I got rid of the thing."Albert Michelson 's hilltop furrowed."Why ?"

Harry told him. Michelson cursed and punched the wall.

"So ..."Harry said, after leaving the defence professor 's role."That leaves the other option."

"I do not want to use the other option."Draco remarked darkly.

"You know the incantation."

"It 's not a affair of knowing."Dragon shook his pass."This is fiendfyre we 're talking about. It grows out of command, it can exhaust 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 serious but if we go somewhere deserted we ca n't hurt anyone."

"Except ourselves."

"True, but you 're suicidal on account of being a werewolf and I 'm crazy enough not to wish. What have we got to mislay ?"

"commodity point."genus Draco cracked a wry smiling."Do you have a place that will be deserted enough ?"

"I have just the place in mind."Harry nodded."We 'll get Morfin to adopt us there. Do n't want 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 well-nigh of his life."
*


The wave crashed harshly against the cliffs of Azkaban island, sending up sheets of spray. The wind was bitingly insensate, whistling through the ruin of the prison with terrifying speed. Harry stood with his face into the lead and breathed in the majesty of it, better able to appreciate the power of nature when the appealingness 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 appeal on both him and Morfin but they still had to struggle with the sheer force of the gale.

"Suppose it does n't really matter."Harry shrugged and pointed to what looked like the cadaver of a courtyard."Over there I guess."Harry turned to Morfin."Oh, and hold sure none of Smokey 's friends come near here OK ? Would n't want them getting hurt."

"Smokey 's Friend ?"Dragon asked.

"Invisible, magical, vicious snakes."Harry smiled."They live on this island. Morfin told me."

"The ministry does n't lie with about them."

"That would be because they 're A : unseeable. B : Solely indigenous to an island at the arse end of nowhere and C : Fed mostly on prisoner the dementors had already killed. Though I suppose they probably eat seagulls now."Harry came to a occlusive in the middle of the courtyard and reached back into his bag. He took out the parcel the halo was in and put it on the ground without bothering to let out it. No scream touching it more than was necessary.

"Do you have the backup design ?"A hint of jumpiness had entered Draco 's voice. Harry did n't answer but instead drew two broomsticks out of his bag. He handed one to Morfin and the got on the early 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 not bad flyer Draco but I can go straight up."Harry rolled his eyes."Quit stalling and torch the matter already. If this does n't turn we 'll try dropping it in a volcano."

"Do n't rush me Harry."Draco grated."You 're not the one channelling hellish flame through your fingernails."

"I did bid to-"

"Do n't even say it."Dragon broke in."You 're not ... focussed enough to keep this ability in check."

"I do know Legilimancy."Harry said indignantly."And occlumency. And I can beguile tongue, do n't tell me that does n't need focus."

"Get on with it ..."Morfin hissed darkly, his eyes flickering back and Forth River. Being back on the island was perhaps effecting him a bit more than he was letting on.

"Aright ..."Draco gritted his teeth and raised his limb. He closed his optic and began to chant, a red luminescence rising from his hand. The air was growing heater, sparking with Department of Energy. Harry gripped his booster 's arm harder. His eye was picking up strange shadows out of the air, things with unusual, sharp, silhouettes. Spinning like a a whirlpool, settling into Draco 's manus, draining in. Each time one of them touched the shaking Slytherin 's hands the heat grew and the air sparked.

"Draco ..."Harry started."Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Now !"Draco 's heart flashed open and the court filled with blood red flame. Both of Harry 's eye were blinded by the sudden explosion of light and charming, he tried to shield his center but it was n't any good.

"Draco ! You 'll have to tell me if it goes out of control I ca n't see !"Harry could see the abstract of the stream of energy flowing out of his admirer 's deal. It shifted and moved and seemed to be trying to break spare. For a second the fender of an eagle formed out of the flame, Draco seemed to strain and the flank vanished. A horses heading exploded out a moment later and Draco again squashed it down.

"genus Draco ..."

"I 've got it."The horses school principal reared up again, it 's eyes wide, and tried to leap at the three wizards. Draco yelled in pain and it was subsumed again into the flow 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 bloody creation into nil. more creature began flashing out of the fire, more than and more. Harry swore and yelled,

"UP ! We 're leaving !"

Harry jerked the broom under him up, it rose jerkily. Harry kicked it and it flew a little faster. Something with chela 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 George Burns and he yelled in hurting. The broom shot up and the air slowly grew colder. Harry 's arm ached and he looked over to see Dragon hanging between him and Morfin.

"You aright mate ?"Harry tried to yell but his countersign were carried away by the bellow 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 broom. Harry waved Morfin back and hovered away himself, keeping a decease suitcase on the handle of the broomstick.

As they got further away Harry could truly see the devastation the fire was reaping. Negroid rock was giving way to flame out from the court. The roaring whirlpool of brute was pooling out like some sort of flaming mould.

Harry cursed, it would be easily visible from the mainland. That could induce unhelpful questions. Harry drew his wand and thought for a import ... there was no way he could vanish the island, or make an legerdemain to hatch it, which meant going for something More basic.

"Nebulosus."Harry dipped his sceptre down and allowed a thick mist to drain out. He felt the broom move underneath him and panicked for a consequence before realising that Dragon was doing it, moving him into a honorable position.

Harry slowly built up a wall of mist between the island and the mainland. When he was finished the blast was still burning potent and stretching out to address a proficient twenty-five percent of the prison isle. They had to wait over an hr, hovering in the Atlantic winds 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 metrical foot slowly cooled from burning to blistering.

"Harry you 're an idiot."

"Shut up."Harry muttered a chilling charm at the story and stepped back down. The heat had been rendered bearable. But only just. With haunt charms to cool down his path Harry made his way to the coal ruination of the courtyard and peered at the flooring. His scepter made rustle of wind to brush away the glowing embers and Harry saw a lilliputian glint of visible light. The stone of the ringing had been burnt away but the gold had simply melted, covering the stone with a golden sheen. Harry bent down and hesitantly laid his bridge player on the shining metal.

"Anybody in there ?"

Harry projected the thought down. He waited a few moments but zip came back. Harry shrugged and pointed his scepter at the pavement. 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 perch 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 ground, unmoving. Harry rushed over to him but even before he did there was another flash and Dragon tumbled out of the sky like a dead bird.

Harry 's wand was already in his helping 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 dense cooling of the rock.

"Who are you ?"Harry called out."Voldemort ?"

"No."

Harry spun but he was too slow, the stunner caught him in the bureau. He just had time to see Sasori 's mocking center before the duskiness closed in.
*


"You brought him in alive ?"

Harry was familiar enough with unconsciousness to jazz how it usually went.

"I thought it was prudent. They were doing something rather strange."

First you could only hear the voices.

"And what was that pray ?"

It was good to stretch this role out as long as possible. You were still mostly knocked out so people generally did n't notice you were listening.

"They went there to demolish something. The Malfoy boy called fiendfyre but was ineffectual to control it."

"Foolish kid. Playing with life-threatening toys."

Ah. Now that voice Harry recognised. They took me to Voldemort. Harry 's gut clenched and he slipped into full phase of the moon consciousness. He was lying on a cold stone floor, but smooth. Maybe marble ? No, not that smooth. Harry realized that with his eyes shut he was completely unsighted. There was also a nauseating empty feeling in his eye socket. Harry cursed silently. His witching eye was gone. Harry could experience some sorting of bond around his wrists. He could n't feel a knot, or a lock. Maybe if he-

"Mr Potter I know you are awake."The voice of Voldemort cut through the shadow."We 've been through this many times before do not remember you can deceive me."Harry snorted and flicked his lid open.

"Just like old times eh Tommy ?"Harry levered himself up onto his knees. Voldemort was standing just a few pace away, looking faintly amused. His skin was perhaps a touch modality lite than before, even a little pinker. He even almost had a nose. He looked ... humaner. He also had a glaring scrape across his throat, red and raw and jagged. Harry allowed himself a smiling. At least he had left an impression.

Harry glanced around, they were is a ... a science lab ? That was what it looked like. Some kind of mad scientist 's lair. All around were tabular array of bottle and arcane, weird detail. The table behind Voldemort looked like it had been cleared in a rushing and in the empty outer space ... Harry 's own eye stared back at him, rocking listlessly. The golden flag was there too, and a few early interesting ( illegal ) point. Harry hissed as he breathed in. His bag was supposed to only release those detail to him. Clearly that barrier had not been a barrier 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 contraband metallic element, thick around as a person and pulling the tincture in towards it. Hanging from the colored gateway ... a fluttering curtain. Harry found himself breathing heavily. That was the head covering ... Or a veil. Not the same as the one in the department of mystery, that one was made of stone. So what the Inferno was-

"Your minute is up Harry."

"Just dedicate me a little more than sentence. Need to set the scene."Harry glanced behind him. Draco and Morfin were sprawled on the 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 door. In a cower plenty a mathematical group of dead men stood, silent beside them. Their decomposition flesh reaching Harry 's anterior naris and making him gag. In the movement of the group was a face Harry recognised. It was not a well-chosen case, or a felicitous 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 back on ?"

"cypher so crude. But in principal ... yes."

Harry tried desperately to think of some way out of this room. He had nothing. Why the hell was there a veil here ? He needed to get out. Harry could see Draco stirring behind him. Or was it Morfin ? red cent 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 angry, I escape-"

"Sadly not."Voldemort stepped forward."I really should give thanks you Harry. Battling with you across these twelvemonth, and especially last twelvemonth, has taught me something I never wished to watch. That I am shockingly vulnerable. Oh yes ... yes. It is truthful. Thanks to you I know that, however powerful I am, whatever knowledge I gain ... all it takes is a boy with a knife and a prosperous strike ... and I am as fallible as a neonate baby again. It is so very unfair."

"liveliness '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 living and realise a great many of my decisions were dopy. I have learnt. And for that I thank you. I am not foolish any more."

Yeah right. Harry tried not to roll his eye. If you 're not foolish anymore why are n't I dead ? Harry chuckled to himself then froze. delay, Voldemort did n't voice wrong. He sounded almost sincere. What if he had got smarter ? Harry licked his lips. Why was he alert then ? Harry heard stirring behind him. Of course, Morfin. Voldemort had recognised his foresighted lost uncle and was ... what ? Confused ? Or maybe ... Harry tried not to glance at the table with the favourable flagstone on it. There was no way that Voldemort could recognise the band from a load of Au. Could he ? And anyway the ring was just a yap ? Was n't it ?

Harry began getting very very nervous.

"So ..."Harry glanced at Sasori, trying to buy prison term."recollective time no see. How have you been ?"

"Richer."Sasori 's eyebrow twitched up.

"You and your hoi polloi have been keeping quiet."Harry tried to twist his hands out of his bonds.

"We do what our client asks of us."Sasori 's accented voice had trace 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 board. It was open and the contents plainly visible. Dull grey magnetic disk, tether. Hundreds of them. Why the hell would anyone require coins made of lea-

Oh HELL no ! Harry took an involuntary deep hint, then ...

"That BASTARD !"Harry spat. Anger filling his veins.

Voldemort followed his gaze but Harry was n't finished.

"Bastard, half-wit, fool, everything he did was worthless !"

"And by 'he'you of line refer to ..."

"Dumbledore !"Harry screamed, at that moment not caring that the person he was venting to was the drear lord."That moron told me he destroyed it ! Told me five years 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 Crouch stole from Gringots ! That 's what brought you back from the brink of last ! That 's how you 've suddenly got all this gold ! After five years you finally got it ! The bloody PHYLOSOPHER 'S gemstone !"



If you do n't look back tinkerbell will die.

Just kidding. She wo n't die. But I was thinking though that that will spell the moment the world becomes truly un-savable.

Tinkerbell drinks the poison, starts to languish, the role player playing Peter Pan turns to the audience and tells them to clap if the believe in pouf and their is abruptly silence.

Or maybe just one clap petering out quickly as the clapper gets embarrassed. That will be the day humans dies.

Also ... on that day, the histrion playacting Peter Pan had better be flaming soundly at improvising. : )


well, as you can see I 've bumped the history up to a mature. I 've tried to keep it 15+ for as long as possible but I guess I ca n't forfend it any more. Ah well, at fifty my characters can affirm properly now.

I do n't own Harry ceramist. I will if I can convert JK Rowling to pay him to me though. I 've been working on this Hypnosis thing ...






The trivial lab was filled with mortal silence for a moment, then Voldemort uncurled his long fingers and clapped. Once. Twice. trey times.

"Very well done Mr Potter."Voldemort cocked his head to one slope."There really were quite a few clew but well done nonetheless. But I believe your gush had more than one purpose did it not ? You wished to divide and conquer ? As you know the Lie Gou will not accept wizardly Au you hoped to inspire our mutual ally Sasori,"Voldemort flicked a long fingerbreadth at the mercenary, who still had not moved."To attack me as you reveal that my germ of means to pay him has not been entirely mundane ? Am I right ?"

"Something like that."Harry said, who had been thinking nothing of the sort. It was a upright plan though, especially since at the moment Harry could n't think of a practiced one.

"And a year ago it would no doubt have worked."Voldemort smiled."But I have been more deliberate since you killed me. I was entirely honest with Mr Sasori about my generator of income, no thaumaturgy whatsoever. They were More than happy to consent amber created with the phylosopher 's I. F. Stone, were n't you my scorpion ?"

"to a greater extent than happy."Nothing about Sasori moved except his lips. Harry almost frowned. Why had the Lie Gou reversed what was basically their lonesome hard and fast rule ?

"So you see Harry."Voldemort turned back to his captive."You can not break my new servant from me. It is fruitless to try. Now ... on to the important matters."Voldemort leant down close to Harry 's face, 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 merest draft on his workforce. The door 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 care to know why you felt in necessary to destroy my ring."

Dammit.

"What ? So it was n't the generator of all your power ?"Harry quipped desperately.

"It was not, no."Voldemort replied almost amicably."I assume you or one of your little friends tried to wear it ?"

"I wore it."Harry tried desperately to guess where the conversation was going."Saw a familiar face. You 've changed since your disco music year. And now changed back a trivial ? ... looking a fiddling pinko around the branchia Tom. What 's with that ?"

"One of the terrific effects of the elixir of life."Voldemort held out a helping hand and examined it smiling."A much more pleasant means of extending one 's like than obscure legerdemain or unicorn origin. It tastes like mercury you know ..."

"Not like chicken ?"Harry 's eye noted a heavy calliper on the lab prorogue next to him. Heavy enough to use as a club. That was if he could get his hands free. And if a social club was even the thin use against a dark wizard. Beside the calliper was a sinister bladed scalpel. Too small to use as a arm but it looked magic. Would it cut sorcerous bonds ?

From under the tabular array there came a deep hissing. A 2d later the thick embodiment of Voldemort 's pet snake uncurled. Winding like a sinuate decoration between Harry and Voldemort.

"Ignore Nagini."Voldemort said without mentation."Tell me about my ring."

"What about it ?"Harry said desperately. He could probably gain the scalpel with a distraction."We found it 's privy. We burnt it. End of story."

"You found it 's secret ?"Voldemort seemed to steady himself."It ... it had a occult ?"

"form,"Harry bluffed."It was the same as the diary."William Tell me what the bloody secret is.

"Ah ...."Voldemort clicked his teeth."Well I must applaud you for working it out. Does Severus cognise ?"

"Oh yes."Harry nodded happily."I 'm not keeping things secret from the order of magnitude any-more. guesswork we 've both learnt."

"I suppose we have."Voldemort seemed to be working hard to keep himself in check.

"Knows about the other thing too."Harry decided to take a state of nature gamble."The one in the Lestrange vault."

"He ! ..."Voldemort 's eye 's flashed red and his deal bunched into fist. The dark lord hissed from between clenched tooth."I suppose I have dear old Slughorn to give thanks for all this."

Slughorn. Harry burnt the public figure into his brain, then tried to decide what response would elicit more information.

"No actually."And would also keep whoever Slughorn was alive until he could be questioned.

"So you know about the diary ..."Voldemort fixed Harry in the eye."And the ring, and the cup. I suppose you know about the music-box as well ?"

"I- ..."Harry paused, he knew this trick."No actually, did we neglect that one ?"

"Yes, you did."Voldemort smiled. Harry tried to hold back himself smiling."But no matter. I have a better means of living forever now."

aliveness forever. The ring and journal and ... what had it been ? The cup. They let him subsist forever ? Harry 's brow furrowed. Then it him like a daze ... he knew what they were.

It had been when he was on his mad fling of ego melioration. After he had got his eye. After he got his god-hand. He had been face to face with the lowest most curse-riddled and pocked flesh-monger in Old Delhi. He had come for a spike in his heart that would let him go without sleep and food for weeks at a time and the enchantress had looked him in the eye and offered him something ... better. She had described it to him like a artist talking about her well-nigh prised employment. She had even offered to procure a ... a sacrifice. Harry had waited until her vertebral column was turned, bludgeoned her over the head with a statue and left her in a sack on the doorstep of the Indian auror headquarters. He had n't even bothered to see to it whether she was still breathing. He had n't wanted to be glad if she wasn't.

Hmm ... seed to recall of it clubs do sometimes bring on dark wizards.

"I 'm storm you made so many."Harry flicked his eyes up too meet the night lord 's."Horcruxes are n't child 's toys."

Sasori shifted.

"I do not fear them."Voldemort did n't look to make noticed."I am the original of my own existence now. And soon a skipper of all life."

"Oh really ? How 's that ?"

"All it takes to be a original of life,"Voldemort spread his hands."Is to be a victor of death."

"existence able to end life does n't realise you the master of it."Harry 's eye flicked nervously to the veil in the quoin of the room. Beside it there was a pugnacious painting. In the painting a sky full-of-the-moon of unfamiliar stars stretched out over a vast desert of grey sand, stretching away to distant mountains. century of hardening of footprints headed out and away towards the horizon. None came back. This was very, very unnerving."I assume this is the office where you tell me your immorality programme ?"

"No Mr Potter."Voldemort chuckled."This is the point where you, and each of your little champion make a choice."

"I 'll have the fish."

"You can choose,"Voldemort continued."To die at the tooth of Nagini,"The snake hissed and arched."Or experience the power of death first hand."Voldemort waved his hand towards the fluttering veil."Choose."

"What 's beyond the veil ?"Harry asked to play for time.

"That is percentage of what I am trying to retrieve out Potter."Voldemort shrugged."The first tone to control is knowledge."

"We 've both been numb Tom."Harry clicked his neck. He had a smell he would have to run soon."We know what it 's like."

"Paddling in the shallow tells you little about the ocean."

"Poetic."A distraction .... delight ...

"Thank you. birth you made a option ?"

"I think-"

"SASHISA !"The inhuman cry sounded from behind Harry. Morfin 's middle had flickered open, and he was scrabbling like a mad thing against his bond paper."ZASHIKA BASTARD SAHI !"

"Morfin ..."Harry muttered but it fell on deaf ears.

"SACISCA !"Morfin spat towards Nagini. The snake raised itself up and hissed back.

"Shsassi !"Voldemort barked a command.

"It 's not nice to babble in a language 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 bond paper so hard his mineral vein were like hosepipes. Harry tried to border 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 vocalism full of confusion.

"Pathetic."Voldemort raised his wand.

"SACISCA !"

"You can die like the poor devil you are."Voldemort hissed."Avada-"

"You know why the Lie Gou are helping you !"Harry yelled desperately, flinging his initiative thought into the air."They do n't accept bull gold but they do betray their node ! They want the I. F. Stone for themselves !"

Voldemort 's center widened.

"NOW !"Sasori moved like a cat, his baton appearing in his hand and flashing to the dark lord. A blinding ark of light flashed into the dark Almighty 's hastily raised shield, catapulting him back into the paries.

"What do you recognize ?"Harry thought as he threw himself at the lab mesa."I was right."He rolled, his fingers touching the knife and he dropped down the early side like a stone.

Nagini turned and lunged at Harry but Morfin leapt on top of her. The giant snake spun and bit down hard. blood line fountained like a geyser.

Harry worked the knife against his adherence. It was working ! Faster !

The Lie Gou at the door drew their wands but the deadened men were all around them. Harry saw the remains of Greyback 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 shadow 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 writhe to get her dentition to turn out but the little snake was too flying, biting again and again !

One of the ropes was cut through ! One more ! Harry could see genus Draco grabbing a tongue from a fallen Lie Gou.

"traitor !"Voldemort rose in a flickering aura of flaming and fury. Flickering phantasm of swarthiness filled the room and the veil blew like it was caught in a gale."I will destroy all of you !"

Sasori did n't answer, merely threw a savage lightning bolt that drove Voldemort back. The dark Divine hissed and flung a handwriting forward. The black shape in the air flew together around Sasori, swallowing him up in iniquity for a bit before an explosion of flame. Harry was thrown to the storey in the bulk of burning mana, his weakened bond snapping under the line. Harry tried to distribute to his feet but dropped a present moment later as a newsbreak of dark-green shot over his head. With a screeching yell the doorway was drive open. Bellatrix staggered back into the room, ten more Lie Gou following her. The screaching beldam turned and her eyes widened as she saw Harry free.

"You ! You li-"

She got no further as Harry flashed his deal forward. The dark scalpel spun from his hand and stabbed through the kick '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 overhead. A body came flying afterwards. Harry darted over and grabbed the man 's wand.

"Accio eye !"Harry held out his bridge player and felt his intimate orb fly into it. He shoved it eagerly back into his socket and saw the macrocosm come up back."Oh my god !"The dark human body in the air were everywhere, streaming through the wall !

Harry had to evade desperately as a Ball of swarthiness shattered the bulwark behind him. The air screamed with some variety of banshee howl. The embryonic membrane was streaming like a flag in a hurricane. Harry 's eye whirled. Draco ! He was ... smart. Lying down beside a pile of body with a cloak over him. Lying low.

Voldemort was being driven back, there were too many Lie Gou for him. Sasori was out in forepart, still dumb. The screech in the air got louder, the dark 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 secretiveness."You 're outnumbered !"

Voldemort threw a killing curse at the assassin, who dodge effortlessly. The dark lord held out a hand and Harry saw a shining mote of gold fly from one of the mesa. His eye picked it out, a gold medallion carved with a grinning fiend. Voldemort flicked it around his neck and turned, leaping backwards. He threw a bulwark of iniquity behind him and, without hesitation, darted directly through the veil.

There was a bit of secrecy, the emotional state on the air went still. Harry did n't move, the Lie Gou would kill him as quick as Voldemort would.

"well ..."Sasori lowered his verge."That went well-"

The embryonic membrane exploded outwards like a dark bulwark of pit. The hint screamed so intemperately Harry had to clamp his hands over his ears. The shadows swallowed one of the Lie Gou, stripping him down to bone in moments.

Harry scrambled under the tabular array and dashed across the storey. A screaming bod slashed at his face, tearing off phone line in blood. Harry slashed out with his baton, summoning attack to blast the thing away. It barely phased it.

"DRACO !"Harry stumbled to the floor, grabbing Morfin 's leg. Draco leapt up from his place on the floor, and skidded towards him. The saturnine shapes surrounded him as soon as he moved.

"Eiectio !"Harry yelled desperately and the wraiths were thrown away. Draco fell forward and Harry grabbed his outstretched hand. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and yelled,"thread maker end !"

His eye whirled in it 's socket and Harry felt a jerky at his navel. The dark screams cut out as the power of the portkey whirled them away from the earthly face of hellhole. Harry felt the ground hit him like a wall and lay there for a instant, catching his breath.

"Your eye ..."Draco was gasping on the ground."Your eye was a portkey."

"Snape did it."Harry shuddered, his muscularity shaking."Emergency backup."

"You had that all along ?"

"Yep."Harry looked around weakly. Morfin ... Harry staggered over to the limp contour on the ground. He knew it was no unspoilt to try to find a beat. His eye told him everything he needed to know.

"Is he abruptly ?"Draco asked. Harry did n't answer, it was n't necessary.

A swoon hissing sounded from the body and Harry saw Smokey rise slowly from the physical structure of his master, his little head darting this way and that. Harry met the little Snake 's eyes and pushed just a little. The sensual thinker 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 paw gingerly. The ophidian hesitated. Harry pushed into it 's eyes again and it slithered slowly onto his hired man and up his sleeve. Harry tried not to grimace as it curled around his arm near the elbow.

"Where are we ?"Draco was standing, looking around nervously.

"Field northward of Hogwarts."Harry waved his wand over Morfin 's body, cleaning the blood. Another wave and the air around the body coalesced, freezing into a casket.

"What are you doing ?"Dragon stepped over, limping a little."Should n't we just take him back to Hogwarts ?"

"We 're not going back to Hogwarts. Snape 's on a mission somewhere and we do n't receive time to feel him. Got to devolve back into the old habit for a while."Harry took the marauder 's badge out of his pocket and quickly sent a substance before jabbing his baton forward. God he hoped this worked ..."Expecto Patronum."

White mist flashed to solid form and whispered away on long thin fender. It spun in the air and floated off towards Hogwarts.

"That 'll chance McGonagall. Tell her to find this Slughorn and feel after him."Harry turned back towards the grave and stopped for a moment.

"Harry enjoin me what the hell is going on."Draco growled.

"I 'll state you when we meet the others."Harry reached out and grabbed Draco 's arm."We 've got to go."

"No."Draco knocked the arm away angrily."Where do you want to go ?"

"Erg ! feeling ...."Harry held his head in his hands."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 have fourth dimension 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 beneficial bit. Bad bit is that Voldemort knows too. And I 'm not letting that snake faced bastard get there low ! I know he 's on his way there now. I just ... I just know."

"The vault ..."Draco whispered."You want to breach into Gringots. You want to smash into Gringots now."

"I want to break into Gringots now."
*


Black robed material body spilled out of Knockturn Alley. The low-cal flashed off the skull masquerade party as the screaming began. The figures made straight for the doorway of the depository financial institution. Goblins slammed the doorway shut with a crack. Every window filled with gringos goblins, each one holding something sharp and crackling with electricity. One of them fired down at the robed anatomy, a lightning deadbolt of shining silver light. A hasty buckler reflected it into the sky.

Sir Thomas More dash rained down, coming thick and fast. The goblins had prepared, they were n't going to be caught out again.

Shields flashed and the death eaters were driven back. One or two of them tried to respond but the spells went wide as the goblin blitzkrieg intensified. Then, suddenly, the death eaters broke, spun, and ran away in disarray. The goblin sending jeer to follow them.

They dashed back into the back street and crashed into a shop. Pushing the stunned shopkeeper out of the way they threw themselves into the flue one after another.
*


After the hold up trope had emerged from the lamp chimney Ginny pulled her toughie back and took off her mask.

"That went well."stock split 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 part right."Ginny nodded."So they should have too."
*


Harry, Draco, Padma and the Weasley Twin Falls had already been in the isthmus when the 'Attack'started. Harry had picked a Gringots goblin running for safety and surreptitiously aimed his wand ...

"Imperio."The goblin slowed to a crawl, it 's expression going glassy. Harry turned back to the early predator."It worked, get along on."

The mesmerise hobgoblin walked down a side corridor, followed by the invisible marauder. Harry flicked his scepter and mentally ordered the hob to select them to the Lestrange hurdle. After a moment 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 like doing this. The goblins were n't evil, they just had a different definition of good to humanity 's. But Harry had n't been able-bodied to think up of anything approaching another program. Well there was nothing to be done now ...

"Is this going to operate Harry ?"Dragon asked quietly.

"We 'll get to the vault."Harry shrugged."Getting back will be more than tricky. Which is why we have masks ... and cloak ... and I have grenades."

"And do you think they 'll believe we 're last eaters ? Despite the fact there are only supposed to be two left."

"flavor Dragon I had exactly twelve seconds to think up this program. Did n't see you coming up with anything better."

"You 're the program person."Fred chimed in.

Why am I the freeking architectural plan person. Harry thought, but with the wispy knowledge that this would not be the most calm thing to say he replaced it with,"Shut up and observe the hypno-goblin."

Harry watched the bulwark fly past for a few to a greater extent instant. By now the onrush on the alley would be breaking up. The goblin guards would be going back to their station. The cart rumbled loudly along the lead. Harry hoped to hell they did n't trail the carts somehow.

"Do you cerebrate he have it away ?"Draco muttered quietly.

"Who ?"even Harry 's twisty genius could n't figure out that one out.

"Morfin."

"Knew what ?"Harry hesitated, Draco was speaking so the early 's would n't be able to hear.

"The snake. He was pulling the snake towards him."Dragon was staring out into the dark."Do you recall he make love 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 center."Just want to know."

"You just want to know ?"Harry sighed, he had no idea why he was being asked this query. 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 citizenry like him ?"

"Heroes."Harry shrugged.

"You think he was a hero ? He was insane. And a vigilante."

"well you know me ..."Harry chuckled."I prefer flawed heroes."

"Hm ..."Dragon fell silent for a moment. Then he laughed flatly."Are we flawed Italian sandwich ?"

"Do n't know."Harry glanced towards the goblin sitting blankly in the front of the go-cart."We 're certainly flawed."

They fell back into silence as the pushcart trundled on.

"Are we nearly the-"George III started before the cart screeched to a halt.

Harry glanced around. Blank tunnel. No doors. Harry was about to open his mouth when a screech consternation came out of nowhere.

"mask !"Harry slammed his back on and jump off out of the go-cart. He cursed, the rack had welded to the track. He flicked his wand at the goblin.

TAKE US TO THE bank vault

I ca n't. Against the prescript ...

TAKE US TO THE LESTRANGE bank vault

The goblin shuddered and trotted off down the corridor.

"Follow him !"Harry yelled over the screaming alarm. The piranha were already masked, wands out. Harry led them after the careen goblin. It hesitated in the middle of the tunnel.

TAKE US TO THE burial vault

Stupid voice.

Damnit ! Harry spun the goblin around to face him and pushed into his brain. Flashes of burial vault, burrow ...

LET ME IN

A itinerary, a turning, a Draco. A dragon ! ? A door.

HOW DO I OPEN THE DOOR

Only a Gringots hob ...

WHY ? WHAT ARE THE appeal ?

Do n't know. Only a Gringots goblin.

Damnit. Harry gritted his dentition. That meant they still needed the hob. Harry pushed into his mind as hard as he could.

return US TO THE VAULT

Wo n't piece of work. door wo n't unfold if the hob is enchanted.

Harry 's eyes flashed wide open air. No ...

Suddenly a bolt of electricity crackled through the darkness above Harry 's head. His eye gave his maybe a rip seconds warning. His legs buckled without thought and he rolled, stabbing his verge out and firing at the vague anatomy in the distance. Another bolt of lightning flew from behind and Harry leapt to the wall. The air sparkled with bolts as the piranha ducked for cover. The hobgoblin stood there stupidly.

skin !

The goblin fell forward with a smile on his face. Harry aimed his wand at the shapes ahead and take a stunner. Behind him he could listen the predator fighting on the other side. Harry felt the rock explode over his straits and leapt out of the way of the cave-in.

God this was messy. Harry was the but one who could see anything with the wickedness and the flashes and the goblins in amongst the humankind and the falling rocks. Harry screamed as a bolt cut into his leg. It had n't even been aimed at him.

"Incendio !"Harry stabbed his wand at the minecart, which exploded with flame. Harry spun and slammed his fist into the goblin behind him. The freaking things were everywhere ! Fingers closed around Harry 's neck and he was jerked backwards. He tried to give the sack over his shoulder but his wand was jerked out of his manus. There were two of them ! finger's breadth gripped round and slammed into his eyesocket. If it had been the real number one it would have been squashed like a grape. Harry forced himself to his feet and slammed backwards into the wall. The paw loosened for a bit but then came on harder. His eye swivelled in it 's socket and he could see the screech goblins clawing at his neck. He slammed back again but this metre it did n't even phase them.

Ca n't breath.

Of course you ca n't breath !

Harry dropped to his knee joint, desperately trying to pull the bridge player off his cervix. He could n't even get them to budge. Black dots floated in front of his eye. He was fading ...

"Selective Service System !"

Smokey leapt out of Harry 's arm and the fingers disappeared like mist. Harry spun and punched the fearful goblin behind him. His fingerbreadth darted to the story and grabbed the hobgoblin 's shock-stick, with a flick he shot the thing at the other hob chest of drawers. The gray-haired creature was thrown back against the wall and fell, stunned.

Harry 's eye found Smokey on the floor, rising to seize with teeth. Harry grabbed him by the head. If the little snake bit a goblin that goblin would be very stagnant. Harry met the snake in the grass 's eyes but saw only rage and animal hatred. Harry quietly stunned him and dropped him in his pocket.

He turned and saw the former piranha picking themselves up out of the rubble.

"Everyone awake ?"Harry coughed roughly.

"We 're aright."Fred was pulling his comrade up off the floor."George VI got hit but I think he 's aright."

"How about the goblins ?"

"We used stunners."Draco said as Harry scooped his wand back up."They-"Draco paused."Do you get wind that ?"

"Hear what ?"Harry 's eye spun it 's socket."No."

"rush sound."Draco cocked his head like a dog.

"Not all of us have wolf senses."Harry growled."Where is it coming from ?"

"stern us.."

Harry focussed his eye, cutting through stone ....

"RUN !"Harry spun, grabbed their goblin template and belted down the corridor."RUN !"

"What is it ! ?"

"Tidal undulation !"

"What do you mean 'Tidal wave'” Padma yelled.

"Stop asking inquiry and RUN !"

Harry reached a ramification and chose based of faint flashes from the hob computer memory. He risked a glimpse behind him and saw body of water bearing down.

"We 're not going to make it ! Hit the level !"Harry threw himself to the ground and shielded the hobgoblin underneath him. The bellowing water supply caught up with him and Harry felt it clangour over them like a wall.

WHAT IS THIS ?

thief 's downfall. Washes away enchantments.

Harry gripped his wand but the water was gone almost as soon as it had come. The hob 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 eyes narrowed. Harry was pushed off and the grey puppet dissipated into the darkness. Harry staggered to his foundation and tried to yell.

PAIN.

Harry put a hand to his throat. It did n't feel right at all. Somewhere in his leg something snapped and Harry howled in pain. He stumbled forward but one of his legs seemed foresighted than the other. With another stab of pain the other leg slammed down and Harry was thrown to the solid ground. Everywhere on his skin was crawling like worms. Harry shuddered and tried to crawl forward.

What the Hell was happening.

Harry crawled towards one of the puddle, left over by the piss and stared down into it. He pulled his mask off and a facial expression that was n't his own looked back. His faker eye was the like but the other had changed from emerald green to blanch hazel. His hair had faded from fateful to brown and was hanging in lank roll, soaked like a absolutely rat. With a nauseating snap his face changed too, getting broader and flatter. Harry 's shaking fingers came up, exploring the new features ... what the hell ...

Then suddenly he realized what had happened.

The thief 's downfall washed away enchantment. All enchantment, 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 case 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 sceptre pushed against the dorsum of his cervix. His eye swivelled and he saw genus Draco standing over him with murder in his eyes."Drop the sceptre you bastard. And tell me what the netherworld you 've done with Harry !"





If you do n't review then your difficult drive will plough into high mallow. To be precise, edam. It will be tasty, but it will no longer function as a heavy drive.


I do not own Harry Potter. I do however take him as a dependent on expense. This is fully within the dominion and I do not trust I have done anything wrong however I can see that the Brits 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 minister.



I just can not catch up with a freaking break.

"Dragon ..."

"pearl 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 think we 're cretin ?"Draco flicked the baton off the ground. The early vulture were crowded around him, their scepter out as well. Harry slowly turned around, keeping his hand up.

"It 's ... It 's complicated."Harry was breathing hard."I know it 's difficult to ... but I am the same someone I always was."

"You do n't even sound the same."Padma pointed out.

"I just ... Please for the sexual love of god you just have to believe me !"Harry glanced into the darkness."The goblins 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 captive ?"

"I was n't intending to take a prisoner."Dragon growled.

"Really ? Do you know where the bank vault is ?"Harry 's eyes narrowed."I do. Do n't believe me. Fine. But you need me ! Believe me if you want even the slightest probability of getting the bloody Horcrux you need me. I will explain everything. trust me. But we need to go. Now."

Draco hesitated ...

"Please Draco ..."Harry pleaded."For the love of god please ..."

"Fine."Draco stepped back."outset bring off your coating. And your bag. All your weapons."

"Got a few hours ?"

"Now !"

"Fine."Harry shucked his coat off and threw it to his champion 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.

"tone at it this way."Harry turned."Is turning into person else half way through the heist really the strangest affair I 've ever done ?"

The vulture began to hesitantly move.

"Thank you."Harry threw his hands up and hurried off down the corridor.

"Hey !"A smasher 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 run down a tunnel underground."Harry growled back at the marauders."Where the Hell 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 red cent cave. They kept going in silence, Harry choosing turning based on vague guesswork and flashes of memory.

"How far is it ?"Padma asked suddenly.

"Two to a greater extent turnings ... I think."

"You think ?"Draco asked sharply.

"Yeah, I think."Harry ignored the wand at his back ( moments from blasting him to limbo ) and carried on. As they got closer Harry 's eye began to testify him a cavern stretching out before them, far larger than the caves. And in the centre."Damnit, I thought that was what the hobgoblin said ..."

"What ?"

"Dragon."Harry turned the final corner and crouched down behind a bolder."face for yourselves."The piranha peeked out to see the vast wyrm, chained in straw man of the monumental door. It 's eyes were milklike and white, it 's skin too.

"It does n't expect too healthy."Padma said thoughtfully."And there are five of us."

"Four."Draco broke in. Harry rolled his oculus but Padma nodded.

"Four of us. If we all stun it at the same time it might go down. That 's what they did in the triwizard tournament."

"What about the door ?"Fred scratched his chief."I do n't matter we 'll be able to break the locking spells."

"We do n't involve to."Draco moved to brook."We just need to recover another goblin."

"That wo n't work."Harry hissed."The other goblin told me before we were attacked. The threshold can tell if the goblin are moving of their own spare will."

"And you only mention this now ?"Draco narrowed his eyes.

"Well between the fight and the death menace I did n't really get a chance."Harry paused, that time even he heard the change in his interpreter. He had an Irish accent mark. Dumbledore had even changed that !. He glanced back at the vault."I think I see a way to get through ..."

"Tell me the turn then."Dragon said sharply.

"It 's not so much a spell, and I do n't think you 'd be able-bodied to do it anyway."

"Do n't even mean you 're getting your wand back."Draco laughed bitterly.

"You know I 'm getting real tired of this-"

"Then state me who you are !"

"I do n't deliver time and you wo n't think 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 involve a wand."With that he vaulted over the rock and began walking down the slope towards the dragon.

"HEY !"The slap-up creature raised it 's drumhead."Over here !"

Harry had to dodge a gouty arthritis of flame. The lizard was old but it was fast. Dashed to the leftfield and the creature lumbered to observe him. He crossed in front man of it, rolling out of the way of a fireball, and kept moving.

The chains around it 's weaponry twisted into one another, kinking.

Harry ran back the other way. The beast bound forward, raking it 's hook through the air. Harry 's script twitched to a sceptre that was no longer there and ducked at the last minute. He threw himself forward, leaping under the out-flung arm. His boots bit stone and he leapt over the whipping tail that threatened to cut his legs out from under him and dashed back out of the dragon 's range.

The chain twisted around a stalactite.

Harry ran for the incoming to the hurdle, rolling under an orb of flame that left a singe mark on the rampart and made the cave handshake. He skidded to a stop before the iron door and the wyrm turned to face him. It tried to step forward but it 's squirm Sir Ernst Boris Chain would n't let it gain the any more. Instead it breathed oceanic abyss and belched out a fireball. Harry twisted to the side 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 cherry red.

"Yeah ! More !"Harry yelled at the tartar."Come on !"A fizgig like a flamethrower forced him to the floor and made him cry out in pain as it struck his articulatio humeri a glancing reverse. His shirt was on ardour. So was his skin. Harry rolled to put out the fire and tore off the baked fabric. Another bolide pin-wheeled over his head and struck the hinge of the doorway. piece of it were almost incandescent white.

Harry dashed the way he 'd come, waiting for the dragon to deform and surveil. The chain clicked off the stalactite, springing like a fishing line. Harry reversed counsel 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 claw at the boy. He leapt to the side as the claw crashed through the weakened metal with a horrific screeching. The tartar reared up on it 's back legs, it 's claw a red raft of molten metallic element and lineage. Suddenly four stunners slammed into it 's unprotected underside. The groovy beast teetered for a moment, then another four struck it in the caput and it fell like a tree. Crashing down onto the rock.

Harry turned to see the marauders rushing to get together him.

"He must be Harry."Fred was smiling broadly."No one but Harry could give birth pulled that off."

"He 's proved he 's crazy he has n't proved he 's Harry."Draco brushed yesteryear Harry and continued towards the vault.

"You 're welcome !"Harry called after him before following him into the burial vault. The marauders stopped as they moved into the middle of the room. Golden affair glittered from every direction.

"Wow ..."George '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 feet 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 break off your neck. Do n't think that baton will stop over me !"

Draco raised one eyebrow slowly then punched Harry in the face. Harry tried to stay vertical but his metrical foot would n't move and he fell backwards, landing on his elbows and slamming onto the storey. genus Draco 's expression came into horizon above him.

"Where ?"

"Over by the corner."Harry pointed. Draco 's looked over. Harry resisted the urge to snap up his branch, jerk them out from under the blonde bastard, throw him to the floor then punch him in the stomach and wear his arm before taking back his scepter and breaking his neck. Resisted. Barely."By the vases."

Draco moved off as Harry levered himself to his feet.

"Thanks for helping."Harry glared at the eternal sleep 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 have clock time to explain."Harry looked over at where Draco was reaching for the cup. He momentarily considered not telling him about the curses 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 Draco drop the cup on the level, musical score of other loving cup appearing out of the air.

"The replication for the gemino is unicus unicus unicus ?"Harry called out again."I 'll tell you the flagrante counter if you give me back my damn wand !"

Dragon came back into position without looking at Harry, stalking past him and out of the vault.

"Hey ! Are you gon na just leave me here ?"Harry tried to move his understructure."come on !"

Padma stepped hesitantly up to him and aimed her wand at his feet.

"There had comfortably be a explanation for all of this."She said, before murmuring the finite.

Harry felt his feet come disembarrass and hurriedly dashed out of the vault after Draco. The slytherin was almost to the Dragon when Harry 's eye caught a flash lamp from a face tunnel.

"Back in the bank vault !"Harry yelled. But he was n't quick enough. Before Draco had prison term to even turn a thunderbolt hit him full in the thorax, throwing him to the base. The cup clattered out of his hands. Goblins funnelled out of tunnel and Harry was forced back into the vault."Summon genus Draco !"Harry yelled to the other marauder as he dived through the ruined burial vault door. A moment later the cup and it 's stunned bearer flew after him.

deadbolt flew through the exposed doorway like horizontal rain. Harry dashed towards a weird gold electric chair and kicked it in social movement of the door, he ducked behind it and grabbed the arm, ignoring the burning pain in the neck in his own. Copies of the chair fell out of nowhere, piling on top of one another in front of the door.

Harry dashed back and grabbed his wand off Draco 's prone soundbox. He spun around to see three wands pointing straight at him.

"Oh ejaculate ON !"Harry yelled."Either shoot me or close up !"Harry pushed past them and aimed his wand over his barricade."Rennervate !"

There was a holloa as the dragon was rudely awakened. The bolt of lightning stopped for a moment as the hobgoblin decided they had great things to care about.

"Do you think we can burst past them ?"Fred was gripping his scepter fiercely.

"I doubt it."Harry stepped backwards. It was beginning to look like he had regained his true expression only to die in it. He had n't planned this enough. Had n't had a program, but what else could he have done ?

"Harry ..."

"I do n't know."Harry glanced back at the barricade. The thunder had stopped. The bolts had begun again."I do n't know."Harry held his sceptre grimly. Really should have planned this in effect ... And there was no avail ...

A flare of flaming burst from behind the marauders. Harry spun with his wand out but it dipped a moment afterwards. Harry 's mouth fell assailable in shock.

"That 's ..."Padma pointed."That 's a ..."

"Phoenix."Harry stepped forward. The bird looked at him, apparently un-phased by the thunderbolt hitting the ceiling. Harry had no idea why it was there, but he was n't about to kick a gift horse in the mouth."catch a feather !"Harry ordered the former marauders, grabbing Draco and pulling him towards the bird. It hopped forward and onto his outstretched arm. The Phoenix 's jeweled eye 's met Harry 's. flaming curled around them just as the barricade broke down.
*


Harry fell onto grass and felt claws 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 more than marauders than he was expecting. Ginny and the others were staring at him in shock. The genus Phoenix had brought them to the tryst stop. Harry stood and dusted himself off."Well that went well."Harry smiled."Someone want to fire up Draco ?"

"Who the infernal region are you ?"Ginny 's script was hovering near her wand.

"Oh yeah ..."Harry remembered that he looked or sounded goose egg like they remembered."I guess this is kind of confusing ..."

"Yes Harry."Padma said to world-wide cushion."I believe you have an explanation to give."

"Oh yeah. I guess I have."Harry took a recondite breath."We should go back to Hogwarts though, they 'll be worried and this 'll take awhile."

"No."Padma crossed her blazonry."Right now."

"Ah ... ok."Harry reached into his bag and pulled his tent out, tapping it once to enlarge it to full size."You 'd better go inside, this is going to be a foresighted story ..."

In the end he told them the Sami way Dumbledore had told him. Flatly, with no shock. It was really the entirely way, the only way to tell person that the full macrocosm was dissimilar to the way they thought it was. Like telling someone that, obstinate to everything they knew, the sky was really orange. He tried not to look at their faces as he spoke. It was like he was stripping naked, bearing everything to them. All the marauders were there, and in a way that was high-risk. The pilot marauders, the inwardness, he knew like folk. But the others, the unity that had joined when he was away last year, not so much. Some of them had probably joined because he was Harry Potter. Because they trusted the prophecy, because they trusted that he could destruct Voldemort. And now ... he was just some guy. Just some kid who had been pushed in over his head and forced to make it. Constantly on the edge of drowning and having to claw for every drib of air. Getting his real expression back should birth made him feel happy. Telling his Quaker should have made him feel glad. Instead he felt ... tired.

"... And in the end I decided to keep being Harry Potter."Harry fished lamely."Because, much as I hate what Dumbledore did, he was aright. hoi polloi need to see the chosen one out there fighting. It does n't matter what I want."

There was a long, dark silence. Harry could see shock and horror painted on every face.

"It ... it makes sense."Hermione was the for the first time to speak."It 's horrible but ... it makes sense. Even the bit about you not having a name. That would excuse why you, the really you, never received a Hogwarts invite, why your name was never written in the Hogwarts Word. That was probably part of the cause Dumbledore chose you. There would be no record for anyone to find."

"I do n't have it away. Possibly."Harry shrugged."He did n't secern me why he chose me. There ca n't have been that many orphaned sorcerous children of the good age to choose from. I always thought I just got the unawares straw."

"So you do n't even experience a real name ?"Neville asked quietly.

"The orphanage called me Jack."It hurt to say that name. More and more Harry opinion of Jack as what he would get when all this was finally over. When the populace did n't need Harry ceramicist anymore. When he could finally remain. He did n't severalise them that though,"But I 'm not well-to-do with that name yet. If you could just keep calling me Harry that would be good."

"Look at me."Draco said suddenly, still sounding tempestuous."Look into my eyes."

"You do n't believe me ?"Harry complied, meeting Draco 's regard."It 's would be kind of an elaborate lie to think up."

"Shut up."Draco commanded and Harry felt a stabbing pain behind his eye. Draco was n't bothering to be appease with his probing. Harry supposed he could n't pick him. Harry saw himself in the hospital elbow room for a moment, Dumbledore standing at the end of the bed. Harry turned his mental gaze away, letting Dragon vista the figure alone. Harry had no need to relive that day. Eventually the mental probe subsided and Draco leant back, his face dropping from choler to shock."It 's true. It 's all true ..."

"You did n't want to believe it."Harry nodded."Neither did I."

"So wait, I 'm confused."Ron scratched his head."What does this mean for the prophecy ? I thought Harry Potter, um ... the other Harry potter, was the but one who could down you-know-who. So if he 's dead does that imply that ..."

"It means nothing."Harry cut in. He had to point off this demarcation of conversation quickly."It 's bull. You trying to tell me that if someone walked up to Voldemort and chopped his principal 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 put down. Anyone with capture tool. Do n't need cannon Harry for that. And besides ; Pythea thinks I can defeat Voldemort and no-one knows more about divination piece of work than her."

There was a muttering of accent from around the tent. Harry breathed an national sigh of embossment, at least he had headed off that disaster.

"So what do we do now ?"Split raised an eyebrow.

"What do you intend what do we do now ?"Harry shrugged."We head back to Hogwarts, probably in the morning, it 's too late now. And then we keep assisting the order and Snape to take down Voldemort."

"You mean we just act like northing 's changed ?"Hermione asked, aghast.

"Nothing has changed."Harry pointed out."I 'm still the Saami person I was yesterday. Voldemort 's still out there. The Lie Gou are still a threat. Nothing 's changed."nix ever changes. Except when it gets worse."And when we go back to Hogwart 's I 'll find someone who can put my case back on and no one will know any different."

"And you 're aright with that ?"

"Yes."No."humankind needs heroes. Harry ceramicist is ... like my underground identity. Like spiderman."

"Who ?"Ron 's brow furrowed.

"Never mind."Harry hung his head tiredly."We should all probably take a trivial time to stay. It 's been a long day."

And when we go back to Hogwarts it all begins again.
*


It was hour later and Harry was sitting outside the tent looking up at the wizard when he heard stride approaching behind him.

"Harry ? ... Jack ? .... 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 imagine. I remember."Padma shrugged."You went crazy for a piece, then Pythea made you better."

"Yep."

"She does that a lot does n't she."Padma raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any particular breaker 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 hear his own phonation but it sounded even stranger 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 individual to put you back the way you were ?"

"I guess I 'll receive to ..."Harry bit his lip. The prospect was surprisingly unpalatable."I do n't know if we 'll be able to get the all bundle back but we should at least be able to get the face. I can falsify the voice if I have to, give me a little more time ... this better ?"

"Deeper."

"Better ?"

"Say something else."

"You do know that if someone asks you to say something you instantly forget every word you ever knew ?"

"That 's a little better."Padma nodded."We can bring on it. Try more emotion."

"Should I be angrier ?"

"Sir Thomas 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 face, we got out active, got the cup, beat up a bunch of hobgoblin and I danced with a dragon. I call that a win."

"I wonder how much of that atomic number 79 got destroyed in the fire ?"

"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 top dog, 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 sleep with if it 'll work ..."

"Is it serious ?"

"well, no not particularly."

"So why do n't you try it."

"good point."Harry stood up and closed his heart. Help me.

"Harry what are you-"Padma trailed off as a flashbulb of fire lit up the night. Harry opened his eyes to see two phoenix looking at him quizzically. Harry stepped fill up to them and placed the cup on the priming coat next to the birds.

"Would you mind flaming this matter for me."The great Phoenix hopped forward and looked up at Harry. Harry felt a niggling thought push button towards him, it seemed to be saying ... why."It belonged to Voldemort."Head cocked left."It helped him fall back from the dead."Head cocked right. Bob. The larger hoot hopped next to the cup and spread it 's extension. Harry shielded his middle as the birds feathering turned to blush flame.

"You just spent an hour 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 reflected fervency. After a few moments both the flames subsided and the bird was gone, flamed away back to where it came from. All that was left of the cup was a mark flake of metal.

"Do you think there are to a greater extent 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 collapsible shelter."Should probably maneuver back to Hogwarts. They 'll be worrying."
*


It was still night as the vulture alighted on the Gunter Grass outside the Gates of Hogwarts. Harry took out his verge and aimed it at himself.

"Harry what are you doing ?"Draco asked.

"Dissilusioning."Harry said the charm and felt the cold fingers of invisibility enclosing him."No one should see me like this."

"Oh, right."

"We need to get to Snape, he 'll be able to get me back looking like ... like Harry."Harry felt that strange reluctance again but squashed it down. It was requisite to stay under the masquerade. It was necessary."You make fun head to the vernacular rooms, you all deserve some proper sleep."

Harry walked up to the silent castle and proceeded to the dungeons. Harry stopped outside Snape 's room access and took a mysterious breathing spell before knocking.

"ejaculate in."Snape sounded like he was angry.

Harry pushed the doorway in and stepped into the dark office.

"Mr Potter."Snape had his book binding turned and was slowly measuring out a foul William Green liquid into a beaker."Have you came to bid an account as to why I have taken Horance Slughorn into protective custody ? Why a short mission that should have taken a little count of hr at nigh and only involved you and Mr Malfoy has taken half of Hogwarts and almost twenty four hours ? Would you like to explain why Morfin Gaunt is abruptly ! Would you like to explain why death eaters attacked diagon alley ? And do not TRY to pretend that you were not-"

"Snape turn around."Harry interrupted.

"Potter do not try-"Snape 's head snapped around. His middle widened."You ..."

"Me."Harry shrugged."I 'll explain 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 genial blocks."

Harry sighed, but complied. A force pushed it 's way into his nous. Flashes of the past day flickered past like number of a past spirit. Harry just relaxed as every contingent was wrung out like dirty laundry. apple trees ... relax.

The double stopped and Harry opened his eyes. Snape pushed past him roughly.

"Hey ! Where are you going !"

"I know the position you were held, the place where the wickedness noble 's lab was."Snape pushed the door open."It is an old wizard dwelling in Greater London, the childhood home of Bellatrix. Perhaps there is something still there."

"What about me !"Harry called after the potions schoolmaster."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 chair."grand ..."

Harry spent a fruitless 60 minutes trying to work Transfiguration of Jesus 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.

"hi Harry."Pythea said without pause as she pushed the door open and turned to him.

"You could at least pretend to be a piffling surprised."Harry pointed at his face.

"You look the same to me."Pythea closed the door.

"well at least we match now."Harry smiled out of one Brown eye and one common and into one super C 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 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 feel 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 drumhead."Maybe when all this is over. But for now the world still needs their sub. I need my secret identity back."

"You 're trusted ?"

"Yes."

Pythea moved closer and sat on the arm of his chair. She raised her deal and lightly touched his boldness. Harry shivered. Because of the magic. Just because of the magic. Thea leant in finisher as her finger played over his peel. Harry could feel her breath on his neck.

"So ... how um ... How long will this take ?"Harry said breathlessly ( the magic must possess been interfering with his lungs ).

"Quite a while. Longer if you keep talking."Pythea placed her hand flat over Harry 's eyes and he felt a faint shifting around his lids. He could smell the little prophesier skin. Ink. She had been writing, probably scrying over Thomas More maps for the ordination. The hand was lifted away and Harry 's aspect felt oddly warm.

"This really will exact a while."Pythea said suddenly, jarring Harry back to realism."You could try to get some sleep."

"I have a practiced idea."Harry opened his eye and fixed them on Thea 's."Gaius emineo"The world swirled around them."There,"Harry leant back against a tree diagram."That 's better."

"How did you learn to do this ?"Pythea asked curiously as she looked around at the illusionary orchard.

"I looked it up after you did it to me last year."Harry shrugged."It 's not that hard if you have the space you want held in your judgment. And this place is engraved on every electric cell of my brain."Harry crossed his ramification on the grass. He knew it was just the leather of the chair. But it felt ilk grass. Harry sighed contentedly as Pythea went back to make on his features. The wind ruffled his tomentum as it slowly darkened again.

Can I ask you about something ? Harry asked wordlessly, not moving his lips. Do you know anything about phoenixes ?

A little. Why ?

I do n't know, but they seem to have some Weird stake in me. One of them came when I called earlier. And before that one saved us in gringots.

A Phoenix chose you as it 's partner ? Pythea sounded move. That 's a majuscule pureness Harry.

That 's not what it is. Harry was about to shake his top dog, then stopped. They were different phoenixs, I could tell. And before, when you were sick, the totally 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 obscure matter as easily. You 're really shocked by this.

I ... I do n't bonk Harry. I 'm not used to not knowing. It makes me nervous, especially where you are concerned.

I do n't cogitate it 's a risk. They saved my life remember.

I know. Thea shifted her fingers down to Harry 's work force. He could feel his bone reshaping. But it still makes me nervous.

The centaurs want me all in, the phoenixes want me active. Harry rolled his eyes. And that 's not even getting started on the world who want a piece of me. See anything useful in seer-o-vision ?

No Harry. Theia smiled softly.

Harry sighed and closed his eyes again. He had imagined the orchard in outpouring and there were apple blossom floating on the air. Pythea lowered her hands, the transformation was over. Harry did n't open his eyes, amend to continue the moment or a picayune longer. Beside him the seer leant on his berm and closed her own eyes.

Harry did n't experience how retentive they were sat there but eventually the illusion was shattered by the threshold slamming open.

"Harry."Snape snapped as soon as he was through the door, holding it assailable just long enough for Natalie Zhao to abuse through before slamming it shut."Harry stand up."

"Stand…right."Harry shifted uncomfortably. He was acutely aware of Thea pressing against his side."Um… Must I ? It's just that I'm… tired. Yes, sap. Legs… tired. And arms… general musculature…"

"Shut up."Snape knelt down and looked into Harry's eyes. This clock time he didn't have to say it, Harry obediently lowered his defense lawyers and felt the familiar pushing of Snape's mind. After a few moments Snape leant back.

"That is what I thought I saw. But I had to be sure."

"What did you see."

"The nighttime lord stepping through the veil."Snape stood back up and stepped over to his desk. He poured a belittled glass of prosperous liquidity and pledge 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 spot. The planetary house you were held in."Natalie answered."It is functionally identical to the veil in the section of mysteries."

Pythea stiffened and Harry heard a sharp intake of breath.

"What does the veil do ?"Harry asked.

"It is a one way portal to death."Zhao answered simply."The section of mystery was initially created to investigate the ‘ three dandy mysteries ’."

"Time, destiny and death."Pythea said softly, imbuing the word menacing strength.

"Yes that is right."Natalie nodded."Although some citizenry think they are essentially the same thing."

"They are wrong."Thea said leadenly.

"Get on with the explanation."Snape growled from his desk.

"The veil can be used to necessitate a person bodily into the next world."Natalie snapped irritably.

"So it was used to kill people ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Actually it was originally an honour to go through. ancient wizards would go through late in their lifetime with corner and carts full of their riches. Like an pyramid, except they were still awake. It has n't been done for C though. And you 're right, in mediaeval multiplication it was used to execute prisoner. It 's possible, with special equipment, to see through the veil."Natalie shuddered."I 've seen recording. The prisoners tried to get back, they tries everything, but in the end they all walked away. Across the desert."

The room went silent. Harry thought back to the painting that had been hanging in Voldemort 's laboratory. Hundreds of footprints 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 golden 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 centuries. Maybe he thought he had a way-"

"The dark Lord is still alive."Snape slammed his glass down on the desk.

"How do you bed that ?"Natalie asked pointedly.

"Because I know him."

"He 's right."Harry shook his head."Old Snake case knows more about avoiding death than anyone else. Hey ! You should put-"

"seat guards on the caul in the department of mysteries ?"Snape interrupted him."They are there as we speak. And others watch the veil 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 civilizations. He might come out of one of them. If he comes out at all."

Harry could see Snape opening his mouth to growl a return so he quickly said,

"Speaking of avoiding expiry, 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 think there are others."

"There are two others."Snape said simply. When Harry 's jaw dropped open Snape simply said."Mr Slughorn was very talkative with a some sentiment. He is not, in the end, an vicious man. Or even a foolish one. He is simply wedded to him consolation. In any case he was a teacher here at Hogwarts old age ago when a boy called Tom Riddle was a student here. He once spoke to the young wickedness lord about the possibility of a seven part individual. Counting the destiny that remains in the dark Almighty consistency, the diary, the ophidian, the ring and the cup."

"Two left ..."Harry felt dread rising in his nerve."And Voldemort knows where they are. And we don't."Harry bowed his head, another problem. He was nauseated of this ... he was tired.

"Voldemort may be injured from his transit through the veil. Injured or otherwise delayed."Snape said thoughtfully."Given what I know of the darkness lord perhaps I can chance them before he recovers."

"You said'I'not 'We'."Harry raised an eyebrow. A few calendar month ago he would hold been angered by the lack of inclusion. Now he was verging on grateful.

"No."Snape raised a handwriting to silence ill 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 early problem."

"early pro ... Sasori."Harry rubbed his forehead. small stabs of pain were feathering his tabernacle. He wanted desperately to sleep."I 'd draw a blank about him."

"It is worse 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 rubber the dark lord was keeping the stone in. It had been broken open."Snape shook his head."We have one dark master to manage with. I would rather prevent the rise of another."

"Sasori 's ambitious."Harry nodded."We 've got to take him down before he learns to use the stone."

"My intellection exactly. But he will be well defended, and I can not use any order members, all of them are needed in the search for the drab lord."

"So that leaves me."Harry bit his lip to stop a wickedness suspiration. Snape needed him. The globe needed their freakin hero ..."I 'll get the Oliver Stone back."

"Remember what we learnt at their temple."Snape held up a prophylactic finger.

"There could be one C of them in there."Harry nodded."I 'll hail up with something though ... you just worry about Voldemort. I 'll deal 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 rest. I know that I do."

"Goodnight professor."Harry nodded as he and Pythea left the dark office. After a few beat of soundless corridor Pythea asked quietly,

"Do you birth a plan ?"

"Not yet. But I 'll cogitate of a plan."Harry bit his lip. He had to obtrude upon a fortified building full of magical ninjas in a guggle existence and notice a petite stone. Like looking for a needle in a haystack while evading a rabid wolverine."And it had better be a good one ..."



Hi all. I 've actually finished the writing on book 6, started on Holy Writ 7. As matter stand it looks like book 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 little ones. It gets tiring trying to find a born point to end a chapter every five-thousand row or so as I have been doing. Massive chapters would let it flow a little better.

Three fifteen-hundred Book chapters would probably do it. sentiment ?

Oh, and if you do n't retrospect the Chupacabra will get and eat all of your goats.


I do n't own Frodo Baggins. Not that he 's in this tarradiddle, just thought it was worth mentioning.





Harry stepped out of the flue and turned up his collar against the rain. He was headed for the Tarot, for his second visit in as many Day. He had the outset of a plan to attack Sasori, he just did n't know if it was too insane. His programme could get them into the situation, it would n't help them find the stone though ... The rainwater was driving vertically into Harry as he trudged down the grayness street.

Was somebody following him ?

Harry 's eye rolled back in it 's socket. There was someone on the street behind him, could be a muggle, Harry could n't see well enough with all the distortion the rain brought. He changed instruction and stepped onto a engaged muggle street, taking him away from the Tarot. The man followed him. Proved nothing. Harry was very careful not to speed up or slack down. He had a meeting scheduled in the Tarot but he had left himself plenty of time. And the supporter would not thank him for leading person to their drinking muddle. Tarot pubs had been found before by the aurors of course and subsequently abandoned. The thought continued. Still, they would be ... displeased.

Harry stopped at a crossing suddenly and waited patiently for the lighting to change. The man following him slowed to a creep and stopped at a shop front line, pretending the shelter under the awning. The luminousness changed. Harry stepped forwards and the man set off in pursuit.

Bugger.

Now that he was closer Harry could soar upwards in on the man 's face. An older man, maybe forty. Black hair with a little Zane Grey. moustache, clean shaven otherwise. Wearing grey trench coat. Under that wearing mundane corduroys and shirt. So far so muggle. Under that the man had muscle. unusual amounts for a man his age. Harry slowed down a tick more to get a amend aspect. verge. In his pocket with his fingerbreadth s wrapped around it.

Damn it. So much for being muggle. Harry could see the man 's heartbeat, a perfectly calm and measured tempo. He was n't stressed whoever he was. From his human face he was n't one of the Lie Gou either. Although it could be a camouflage. Or it could be the other masses 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 produce his tryst. He could call backup, the vulture, but they could convey historic period. He could try to turn a loss this guy ... that was the smart affair to do. But then he would n't get any clue why these wierdos were after him. So he could agitate ... but not here. A car shot yesteryear Harry, throwing up H2O out of a puddle. Definitely not here, too many muggles.

Harry turned down an side street between marvellous apartment edifice. His tail was catching up. He must own realized he had been made. Harry ducked into an alleyway and ran to the end before sliding into hiding at the edge of a wall and drawing his wand.

The man stepped into the alleyway. Harry waited as his tracker strode along the dank trough between the walls. 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 bolt straight through the brick where Harry had been. Harry came up with his scepter out and fired a stunner. The man shielded without a cerebration and blasted a another red bolt at Harry, all the patch advancing quickly.

Harry flicked his scepter, dragging a dumpster into the man 's way and banishing it towards him. It was quickly transfigured into feathers but Harry reversed the charm and the man was broadsided, driving him back. Harry banished again, driving his battering ram of alloy and trash into the man again. Suddenly a cutting white flashing filled the air and the dumpster was cut in half by a glowing blade.

Harry cursed, to much to hope other people would n't know his tricks.

The man dashed forward, the blade still sparkling in his hand. Harry sent a round-eyed looker that forced the man to deteriorate the sword to shield and followed it up ...

"Atrax !"The ice in the alley grew spider ramification and threw itself at the old man who raised his work force and called up a shockwave that blew the wanderer to part and made the buildings shake."Tempesto"Harry called wind to burn out the glass and debris back at his assaulter but the man ducked to the paries and jabbed his want to the sky.

Harry dodged in time but was still blown to the floor as a lightning thunderbolt shot down from the already bulging sky and blew apart the flag under his foot. Harry rolled to his animal foot as another stabbed down where he had been lying.

Harry dashed towards the man and fired a human dynamo at his typeface, following it up with a acerb battery of jinx and charms. The man had to stop his attempt to harbour but flicked his early script into his air hole to draw out minuscule capsule.

What the hell ?

With a flick of his wrist the man threw the matter at Harry.

"Depulso !"Harry yelled on unconditioned reflex but it did nothing to hold back the thing."Geyser"Harry flicked his wand down and a natural spring of water supply erupted from the undercoat sending the little thing tumbling into the air.

The man dropped to the trading floor with his hands over his ears. Harry was about to fire a spell at him when the slight capsule exploded with a thunder-clap and a blinding flash of luminosity. 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 fling and sheeting falling away.

fry !

Harry 's eye flickered to the biggest gap just in fourth dimension to see a bed fall through the fling and get stuck, dropping it 's screaming inhabitant from the fifth flooring. Harry 's had scrabbled for his wand but he was too stupid, too slow. someone else was faster. The old man darted beneath the falling shaver and caught him in both blazonry just as Harry 's fingers closed around his wand and swung around ...

sceptre pointing ... Man defenceless ... Child screaming in his arms ...

They stayed stuck in that tableau for a foresightful heartbeat. Harry could feel his own breathing. The former man could n't champion himself with his manpower good ... but on the early hand he had a human cuticle. Harry could hear panicked rallying cry 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 minor on the concrete before slowly raising to his feet with his manpower held out to either face of him.

He had given up his human shield.

"Who the hell are you ?"Harry yelled through the rainwater, keeping his scepter trained on the man 's chest."You want to pop me but you do a stoker save on person else ? Why the infernal region just me ?"

The man was silent.

"You 'll salvage everyone but me is that it ?"

"I am saving everyone else."The man spoke for the low sentence, 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 outcome will be terrible."

"How the pit does that work ?"Harry yelled angrily."I 'm the bloody chosen one here !"

"No. You are not. You are not the elect one. This we know. But that is not the point."The man 's voice was hasty. They could both hear running feet approaching. Harry gritted his teeth. He wanted to stun this guy and take him in ... on the early helping hand, he had saved a kid. On the former hand ...

The man 's arms came down and the fling of dissapparation filled the alley. Harry recovered from his infuriated shock just long enough to disillusion himself just before the muggles stampeded into the bowling alley. He hid at the side and squeezed out before dashing away along the street. In the rain soul would notice him if he stayed in one place too long. Harry ducked into a doorway and cancelled the piece before sinking to his knees and pushing his head back against the wall, heedless of the rain running down his face.

I have to die ?

Harry knocked his head against the stone.

I have to die ? Because I 'm an abomination.

That was the cause these wierdo 's had been after him ? They had n't told him any to a greater extent than the Centaur and yet ... they knew who he really was. They were n't killing him for being Harry Potter. They were trying to down old salt Malyn.

Why would anyone want to kill an orphan with no memory ?

Harry smacked his head against the gemstone again. He had given five bloody and abominable years to protecting people and fighting darkness, geezerhood he did n't sustain to give. A fight he had n't had to be a part of. And for what ? For people who save children from certain death to try to kill him.

Tears might have been flowing from his eye, he could n't tell in the rain.

Harry pulled his stifle up to his pectus and wrapped his coat of arms around them. He had sat like this back before Hogwarts he could recall ... of class most of the time he had been smart enough to find somewhere out of the rain. He could commend that time ... what form of life did he lead now that he looked back fondly on being a street urchin ? That thought was too bitter to even make him laugh.

Harry rolled his eye to look at the watch in his sac. He still had ten instant till his scheduled encounter and he was going to spend at least five of them here in the rain, in the gutter, in a threshold with faded stria posting nailed to the hardboard. He did n't wish if it made him late, if this threshold was all the world was giving him then he would take it. He had to have something.

Harry curled up and knocked his had back into the quoin where the rain was a little LE. He closed his oculus and felt the droplets slapping against his coat. He did n't care.
*


Harry pushed open the doorway of the Tarot, this time situating itself in a brightly decorated wine bar. He took a calming breath.

"Wet out there."Harry threw a drying charm over his apparel and hair and stepped over to the man he had come to meet. Harry bowed respectfully and forced a falsify smile onto his font."Good evening. Thank you for hearing what I have to say."

The man on the former side of the table nodded faintly to the chair opposite him. Harry sat.

"So ..."Harry took a shallow breathing spell."Shall I tell you about Sasori ?"
*


Hours later Harry sat alone in a side of meat kiosk of the tarot card. The man he had come to meet was long gone. The meeting had gone well, Harry had said what he needed to say and the man had believed it. He had also given Harry a large bag of gold, but that was n't important. It had only been important that the man thought Harry wanted money for the information, to hold back the substantial intellect and ...

Oh what was the point ?

Harry took a trench drapht of the beverage in front of him. It was on a coaster, as were the two empty glasses in forepart of him. If he went back to Hogwarts he would have to start being himself again, having multitude demand things of him, and he was n't trusted he could take that the right way now.

Just require to occupy down Sasori ... get back the stone ...

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 to the end.

Harry finished the rest of his drink and dropped the vacuous. He should n't consume another. He was going to have another. He just wanted to spend some sentence where there was no one demanding anything of him, was that too a great deal to ask ? Harry dropped his head to his hand. The only station he could be calm was in a den of dark, the hideout of malefactor. What did that say ?

Harry breathed deeply and drew his woodlet projection around him, but it wavered and parts of the Tarot showed through the edges. Harry realized he would n't be able to hold it and allowed it to pass off. It was n't real anyway.

Maybe when this is over I can go back there. The thought surfaced in Harry 's intellect. Going back to the orphanhood, living like a muggle. He had no science or anything but surely they needed janitors ... or entertainers. Harry sighed or maybe he would just leave the country. He 'd escape his friend, the vulture, Thea .... but they 'd realise. admit another name ... or go back to labourer and just ... wander ...

Harry dropped his head to the tabular array. dopey thought process, there was still Quran seven before he could think of thing like that.

The matter is ... I do n't know if I can last that long.

Harry closed his oculus and laid back in his booth. He 'd have to endure 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 prison term, no affair what. Every bloody time.

"Mr Potter ! I did n't expect to see you here."

Harry 's eye 's shot give in an case. He had n't been paying attention. His wizard eye had just been rolling in it 's socket but now it snapped to attention. His hand jerked to his sceptre, but as he saw who was approaching him he relaxed. A little.

"Mr James."Harry looked up at the deep older man."Another word of advice substance for me ? What 's happened now ? Sky falling ? Hitler back from the dead ? New Dido single ?"

"Did I not just say I was surprised to see you here ?"James I slid into the booth reverse Harry. He took a soft sip of his gin and tonic then placed it on the table.

No coaster. Harry tried to think back what gin and brisk meant in the Tarot code.

"Oh, my mistake."Saint James slid a coaster under his drink.

Had that really been a error ? Was Saint James the Apostle just having a drink or was he sending a signal ? Or did he want Harry to think he was ... Oh who cares.

"Come here often ?"Harry asked the man opposite him.

"Occasionally, I mean you have to. To do business."James glanced around."I was not expecting to see you here though, being one of the virtuous ones."

"Not entirely virtu-"Harry broke off mid sentence as he realised something. He could see James. With both eyes. The old man was actually there, not a expulsion like before. Harry was shocked for a moment. He was even more shocked that he had n't noticed. The firelight glinted off the glasses in front of him. Harry closed his heart and surrounded himself with his orchard, just for a fraction of a back. He tried to deplume his mind together before he opened his heart."Not entirely virtuous. Just more virtuous than my enemies."

"I 've heard you have More than one enemy these days."William James said casually."beloved old Tom Riddle and now you have gone further afield for foes. I knew the nighttime lord was foolish for putting his trust in mercenaries."

Harry 's eye flickered down James'consistence, looking for anything resembling a cue to his personal identity. The upshot were disturbing, almost every bone in the old man 's body had been broken class ago, probably at the same meter. Even the bones in his skull under his bald head showed signal of healed geological fault. It was long ago, they had healed naturally first, then magically later ... weird. The guy was stocked to the gill with magical artifact and talisman too, but that was understandable here. No wand however ... that was also odd.

"I do n't recollect he puts combine in anyone."Harry shrugged."How did you find out they left him anyway ?"

"It 's More or less common cognition in my circles."James waved to the bar."Can I get you another drink."

No."I 'll feature what you 're having."Why did I say that ?

King James motioned to the barman and a mo later Harry was holding a gin and tonic.

"You can relax Mr Potter."James took another sip from his glass."This is the tarot think ? No one can touch you here. Not even me."

"fuck it."Harry took a mystifying sup of his drinking. He paused."This tastes terrible."

"My apology. Shall I club you something el-"

"Yes."Harry drained the rest of the glass."Please."

A chicken feed of White person wine appeared in Harry 's hand. He sipped it this time.

"Penny for your idea Mr Potter ?"James asked.

"Why did you issue forth here tonight if you did n't know I was here ?"

"You are not the inwardness of the universe of discourse Mr Potter. Despite what many think."James smiled."I have many other things to pull off other than yourself. As to what business I had here ? That is none of yours."

"funfair enough."Harry shrugged. James IV did n't have a wallet in his pocket, not any money either. He had n't paid the barkeeper for any of his beverage, he must have a tab. No one had a tab at the tarot card. Not unless to not give them a tab would have been dangerous to the proprietors. Who the hell was James ? Harry considered for a consequence, then abandoned the wagon train of thought. Tonight he was n't going to try to solve any whodunit, he was just going to relax, drink, and talk to a mystical alien who was probably the head of some form of clandestine crime crime syndicate. waiting ..."So it would n't have anything to do with the man who tried to assail me on the way here ?"

"onslaught you ?"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 formation, they would let loose business."

Harry said goose egg. If Sasori had already worked out how to use the stone to deform hint into gold that might not matter.

"Did it look like one of the Lie Gou ?"

"No, but they could easily mask themselves."Harry took a sip of wine."Did n't fight like one of the Lie Gou."

"Perhaps I can facilitate ? What did he look like ?"James actually seemed interested.

"Perhaps,"Harry hesitated, should he secern James anything else ? His fracture brainpower threw up a red flag, but on the other hand he currently knew sod all about the the great unwashed trying to kill him. Anything he found out would be helpful."Oldish, mustache, sounded foreign. Italian maybe ..."

"The same individual who attacked you with a crossbow earlier this year ?"

"No."Harry did n't ask how King James knew."Not the Saami mortal, but probably from the Sami source. The crossbow guy was booster with the centaurs."

"The Centaurus would never hire assassins."James waved the comment away."Not only is it against their laws, they also have too trivial money. You ca n't take killer whale with acorns and mysticism."

"They were n't assassin, at to the lowest degree not paid ones."Harry thought back to the mystifying remark his assailant had made."They did n't appear like assassinator ..."

"wellspring I ca n't think who they would be."James shrugged apologetically, but not unhappily."It would look you have stumped me. I mean of course there are Italian law-breaking organizations but none of them have any interest in you."

"You know that for sealed ?"

"Of course."James River actually seemed to be relaxing, his elderly frame leant against the mesa."Most felon are looking forward to the remotion of Voldemorrt, he is an excitation to so many things."

"Like living."

"Quite."

"There was one former matter ..."Harry bit his lip."In the conflict the man went out of his way to redeem a muggle who got caught in the crossfire. Almost lost the combat because of-"

"No ..."James'eye went across-the-board."Are you certain ?"

"Positive."

"But they ... why would they possess any reason to attack you ?"

"You know who they are ?"Harry perked up and tried to sit up straight. His cubital joint slipped off the tabular array but be righted himself and asked again."You know who they are ?"

"I believe I do ..."Henry James regarded Harry quizzically over his spyglass."Why would they ... but it ca n't be them. I would almost expect them to be on your side."

Harry said zilch. The men probably would be on the side of Harry ceramicist. At to the lowest degree Epistle of James did n't lie with who he really was. Probably.

"Just tell me who they are."Harry said irritably.

"Oh some jester who think they can spare the world."James chuckled under his breathing space."Even more deceive than Dumbledore was in many ways. Couching their idiocy in some idiotic feeling of order and chaos and god and ... they are ridiculous. Think no Sir Thomas More of them. I seriously doubt that they could succeed where Voldemort failed."

"That 's comforting. You know what would be more comforting ? If you would pay me a freekin name."

"But the genuine motion is why you ?"St. James the Apostle tapped his chalk thoughtfully."Yes ... yes that is very interesting."

"You ca n't not severalise 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 think I will Mr Potter."James 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, unpredictable as you are. This head however is even more of a conundrum. No, I believe I will not tell you. Not until I have considered more this intriguing problem. commodity evening Mr thrower, it was a pleasure to converge you again."James stood and turned away.

"Hey !"Harry tried to digest but his arm got caught on the tabular array and he fell back into his backside. He tried to ride again and stepped quickly towards the door.

"You 're not thinking of following him are you ?"A deep growl came from the barkeep. Following someone leaving the Tarot was as bad as attacking them at it.

"No, just leaving myself."Harry shook his header. He turned back to the table and, a thought springing to mind, leant over and sniffed at Henry James'glass. Still half full. Smelled of soda pop. No gin, just tonic.

Damnit

Harry turned to leave alone. At least he was protected by tarot card rules as well. No one would aggress him on his way back. The rules stopped him from getting killed, did n't stop him from being played for a fool. Harry stepped out into the rain, letting it run down his face soothingly. He had screwed up badly tonight. He had made misunderstanding ... no. No he had n't made error. A mistake was when you did n't know that what you were doing was stunned. He had known, and he had done it anyway.

Why

Because the Earth owes me some freakin screw ups. Harry pulled his coating around him and stalked off into the rainwater. The rules were supposed to protect him, but that did n't mean he did n't watch the shadows all the way home.
*


"Why do you imagine Harry brought us all here ?"Hermione asked quietly as the relaxation of the vulture waited in the marauder 's attic.

"I do n't lie with. No one knows obviously."Ron said from beside her."He was n't in his bed survive night, 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 secernate us what was going on."

"I guess it 's harder now."Ron shrugged."Half the shoal 's marauder. He ca n't keep back us all in the loop. call up when it was just the six of us ? Right in the origin ?"

"Seems like a life-time ago."

"kind of does I-"Ron broke off."Hey, look there ..."He pointed.

"Is it Harry ? Oh,"Hermione shook her head as Draco stepped into the room. He looked as tire out as he always did, but it was still a calendar week to wide lunar month. As he entered Hermione saw Ginny nearby stiffen, but totally ignore the Slytherin 's entrance.

"Why does n't she just have up on him ?"Ron said angrily."It 's stupid that she 's so torn up about it."

Hermione did n't say what she wanted to.

"Anyway Draco 's a stern for doing this."

Again, Hermione kept silent. 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 Dragon. She had a suspicion that he had his reasons for rejecting Ginny. Or, well the fact that he was a werewolf and ...

"HEY MORONS !"The vulture fell silent, turning to see that Harry had materialized."Sorry, I meant to say 'Can I have your attention ?'but somehow it just ... well you know how it is. In any face, snap up your gear. We 're leaving in five to relieve the world."
*


"Harry where are we going ?"Ginny demanded as the marauders slung their invisibleness cloaks on.

"fountainhead first we 're going to Wales, to the lake that forms the entrance to the Lie Gou factor house."Harry was strapping a spear-like matter to his hip."Where we float far above the water system like pretty butterfly stroke. Then, at the opportune import, we fly down through the portal, fly up to the sign, go in, find the stone, get the stone. Simple."

"That 's your plan ?"

"Well they will be a slight distracted by that dot ..."
*


Harry zoomed his eye down through the darkness. A clash of chassis were approaching the water, flitting from covert to cover like shadows. They were grouping near the lake, slipping in one by one. Harry 's hand tightened on his scepter, so it had worked, he had n't been sure it would.

Usually at this dot he would be feeling the Benjamin Rush of epinephrine before a big fight, this metre he just felt mark. There were a lot of masses behind him who would become very dead if this went legal injury. He did n't feel energized, he felt ... deadened ...

The in conclusion of the shadows slunk into the lake. Harry took a deep breath. He flicked his watch out. About two minutes would probably do it.

Harry closed his eyes. The orchard was still there, but the folio were gone, turned into drift and mulch on the priming. Harry could n't state if the wind blowing through his hair was in the illusion or in reality. It did n't topic. Two minutes were up.

"Down."Harry aimed his broom down and carefully guided it down, with one hand the staff in battlefront of him to aim. The rest of the marauders followed him.

'' Agoredig Ffordd. '' Harry whispered to the water 's surface. He took a late breathing spell ..."NOW !"

Harry dive his Scots heather forward through the water and straight out the other English. His intimate ear flipped out as gravitation reversed itself and he spun in the air involuntarily before righting himself. former piranha shot past him, taking the lead, just like they planned. After all, he was n't the one you wanted leading an 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. enchantment and gouts of blast shot into the air all around them. They were n't aimed at them though, they were aimed at the former pattern on the ground.

"plant like a charm."Harry muttered through gritted teeth as they shot over the warzone.
*


"So you started a war between ninjas and more ninjas !"

"flavor,"Harry count a steady breath."I met the loss leader of the Lie Gou at the Tarot."Harry flicked two torpedo into his inner pockets.

"I thought that was who we were going to attack ?"

"Sasori 's just their European factor."Two ampoule of potion and a grenade went into another pocket."And a very naughty boy for working the Voldemort/philosophers stone Angle without cutting his boss in for a percentage. They 're not happy. They 'll be moving tonight to explain their displeasure to him at length."

"So we attack while there 's already a war between malefactor mercantile ninjas."

"Course."Harry tried to sound Sir Thomas More certainly of himself than he felt."So long as there are n't any ramification it should go fine."
*


"Yes !."Her hired hand curled around the discarded wand."Allohamora."The cell door sprang open, pushing the corpse away. Bellatrix stepped out of her cell and kicked the body before spitting on it as a final exam insult and moving off, crouched against the wall. These irreverent mercenary had kept her jug for mean solar day, but it was cipher, she was used to worse prisons. 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 invertebrate foot, 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 waitress before dashing off.

"Wait you suicidal-"Harry darted after her, cursing. To be fair this had been the plan, in a full general sense. Secure a few rooms from the rage and burn a way of life to Sasori, where they hoped to find the rock, leaving teams along the way to secure a way out. The plan had not been for Ginny to go all death-seeker."Ginny duck !"Harry reached the young lady just in clock time to undertake her to the floor. A bolt of lightning smashed through the rampart, above them. Harry fired back through the hole with one helping hand, dragging Ginny to her feet with the other.

"What- ?"

"I go first !"Harry barked into her face."I 'm the one with the eye ! Remember ?"

"I-"For a minute it seemed like Ginny was going to defend him."Fine. Get moving then."The finale 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 back. She should n't be here. She 's not thinking 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 wolfman 's shell far more than his own.

An ark of tongue tore through the wall like political machine gun fire and a moment later the wall crashed in, filling the corridor with fighting lightlessness figures.

"Harry which single are on our side !"Neville yelled.

"None of them !"Harry stunned a Lie Gou who got too close as the warring camarilla ripped each other apart before the marauder 's center."Just stay back and hit any that card you or survive !"

And maybe do n't talk ?

Harry was thrown backwards as one of the fighters fired a spell at the sound of his voice. Harry hit the paries and felt his sceptre jarred out of his finger's breadth. His former hand gripped the fishgig in his sleeve and had torn it out before he hit the floor. He sent lighting from the tip at his attacker before sweeping it over the early scrapper. They fell to the floor like ragdolls and the predator sent stunning trance to truly send them to la-la-land.

"Team three cargo area this spot !"Ginny yelled. She darted forward but stopped short at a abruptly limelight from Harry.

Harry turned and grabbed his wand before continuing on, threading his way through consistence. He felt covetous of the others, they could only hear the battles going on all around them, just room away. He could see it.

Oh god so a good deal blood ...

He had done this. Harry gritted his teeth as he silently led the marauders through passageways away from the main struggle. He had done this. He had caused this massacre.

"Two in the next room."Harry did n't even waver as he threw the door assailable and stabbed the lighting shaft at one. Draco dropped the other one and Harry just kept walking. There were tables in this room, the remains of a meal. They had just been eating. There were already three consistency in the next room. Well, two and a half.

I caused this.

"Harry focus !"Draco 's voice shocked Harry out of his fugue.

"It 's ok. I 'm ok."Harry gritted his teeth. Draco narrowed his bloodshot eyes.

Do n't tell me you 're going mad too-

I 'm fine. Harry continued quietly."It looks like Sasori 's place and hooey 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 wad of guards, twenty on the ground, 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 soldiery. There were n't many left. They had left a breadcrumb trail of safe zona across the synagogue, it left them stretched but it was the exclusively way.

"Alright."Ginny said definitely."Hermione, you keep the balance of them with you and take out everyone on the storey, hold the area. Harry, Draco and me ... we go up the tower."

"Ginny-"

"You know that 's the best way."Ginny growled."You have a better plan ?"

"That 's it."Harry narrowed his eyes."You 're going back. assistance curb the lowest room."

"To hell with you !"Harry 's deal snapped forward but Ginny had already slammed the door open.

"Damnit !"Harry 's manus flicked into his sac as 35 verge twirl towards him. Harry 's bridge player flicked out of his pocket."Disperseas !"Ten grenades fanned out across the room like a spray of demise."Shield !"

Draco 's shield flashed around him as Harry 's sentiment were filled with hatred of everything red-headed and female. The flames consumed the garden but the spells were already hammering down. Harry 's eye caught something that made him scream like a banshee.

"NO !"Ginny was shooting into the air, zooming towards the top of the pillar !"Who knew she still had her Scots heather !"

"She had it in her bag !"Draco yelled through gritted teeth."Shield down in three ... two ... one ..."

"Stupefy !"Harry had his wand in one hand and the spear in the other. Two shapes rose from the roll of tobacco. Two shapes were thrown back in. Harry dashed to the stairs and cursed as he aimed a stunner at a build leaping out of the shadow. The staircase did n't even feature a banister, no protection from the firing below.

"We should ingest out the ones down here first !"Draco slammed into the paries next to Harry.

"Ca n't ! dolt Bloody evil your freekin aspirer GIRLFREIND stupe KILL HER !"A build dropped down in presence of Harry and he took the opportunity to consider out his furore. The figure fell back bloody."We need to get up there in compositor's case she does some -DIE dolt EVIL- she 's screwed everything up ! Here you shield I 'll down. I feel like killing."

Harry edged forward as fast as he was able, cowering under genus Draco 's shell as they advanced up the tower.
*


Ginny dropped off her broom at the top of the tower and ducked behind a side wall.

She could do this. She could do this alone. She did n't need ... Ginny took a deep breath, her heart was racing. Suddenly she was thrown to the floor as the wall exploded outwards above her. Ginny rolled and aimed her wand at the orifice, but a minute later another fix appeared right on the other side of the tower. Flashing Light Within broke from inside the tower and Ginny gingerly snuck up the the hole in the wall. Down below Ginny could get a line explosions, the others were fighting. But she did n't ask them ...

Ginny raised her head a lilliputian over the wall and looked over. Inside there was a all-inclusive position, desk shattered against the shelf, shelves thrown across the floor, floor on flak. In the midriff of the room, circling one another corresponding andiron, a man and a fair sex, wands poised to fire.

Bellatrix. Bellatrix and Sasori.

"Give me the stone !"The scarred death eater looked rabid, foaming at the mouth and twitching."Give me the Harlan Fisk Stone or I 'll tear you limb from limb !"

Sasori said nothing, but sent a piece bouncing off the wall to catch Bella in the side, throwing up a gout of bloodline. She was covered in blood but did n't seem to realize it. Sasori was clean and almost smiling. He was winning and he knew it.

Ginny shifted around the outside of the column. She could finish off Bellatrix ( of course she could ... ) but the Lie Gou ... If she could take him out first, from concealing, she could lease Bella. Then she 'd let the stone. She could get it herself.

Ginny tried to work out where the scrapper were from the screeches and explosion 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.
*


"pudding head bloody- !"Harry barged into the Lie Gou in figurehead of him and chucked him off the side of the tugboat. By now it was a hanker way down. Harry tried to aim through a haze of painfulness and forced his base to wax higher up the tower."Dragon relocation !"Harry yelled back at the man behind him.

"You go ahead, I 'll hold them !"Draco was raining down fire on the fighters below."You help her !"

"You sure ? I 'm planning on killing her afterwards."

"Just GO !"
*


"Stubefy !"Ginny felt a cry of victory as the spell smashed into the Lie Gou 's rear, sending him careening to the storey."Avada Kedavra !"Ginny aimed the swearword at the shocked death feeder at the former side of the room. Bellatrix threw herself to the position, giving Ginny sentence to overleap the wall and dart forward into the war-torn ruin.

"You ?"Bellatrix bickering as she pushed herself up from the floor."Why are you here you muggle loving cunt ?"

"Shut up ! Jupitall !"Ginny sent lightning flying at the death eater and dodged to the physical structure of the Lie Gou on the level. Pocket. other air hole. Inside Pocket- THERE ! Ginny 's fingers closed around a midget gemstone. The philosophers stone, she had it. Ginny rolled behind the remains of the desk to ward off a nauseate black curse and jumped to her feet."ejaculate on ! Come on gripe fight ! testify me wha-"

The swearing hit her in the chest.
*


Harry 's eye saw through stone and build to pass on every hideous item. His understructure faltered on the step and he fell to his knees as he saw the while hit nursing home. The polishing red light of the curse radiated out in waves from her dresser, meeting her rib and staving them in, raking through her lungs and slamming into her spine. Breaking it like a branchlet. Ginny was lifted off the ground and bemuse onto the wall behind her. When she hit she did n't hit like a mortal. She hit like a sack of meat, leaking blood and sliding down the wall before collapsing on the floor.

Harry could learn cypher. The war all around him might as well have been mist. 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 shabu, sending sherd ripping through Harry 's cutis. It did n't hurt.

Bellatrix. In his eyes she was lit up like a Christmas Tree, the entirely thing that mattered in the world.

"Avada Kedavra !"hatred, rage and darkness flowed out of Harry like a river. The air before him flashed leafy vegetable like lightning. The remains of the rampart were stove in and the shattered through the former side, it crushed past the cowering destruction eater like a shipment train. 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 dark curse, fanning out the spears so the murderer could n't evade. Harry 's feet bit dirt and he charged towards the bitch. She had n't even stopped screaming by the time he reached her, slamming his boot into her aspect. Her scarred school principal snapped back and Harry dove down, grasping his helping hand around her neck as hard as he could. He could feel her windpipe crushing under his fingers.

"Ach ... a ..."Guttural goose egg tried to break away from the beldame back talk."Ach ... a ... a."Harry knew he should just use his baton, make water it prompt, but red dots were spiralling before his eyes and even if he 'd wanted to he could n't have made his finger's breadth move. Bellatrix 's eyes rolled back in her skull. The bitch was-

"Aaa !"Harry was thrown backwards as lightning arced from the enchantress finger into his breast. Harry could sense his figure burning, skin searing off. He could palpate all sort of irrelevant things.

"Crucio !"Bellatrix croaked. Harry did n't irritate to dodge.

"Excalabus !"Harry whipped his scepter sideways, ignoring the blinding painful sensation. The sword flickered out, burnt forward, flicked back behind Bellatrix 's verge. Right through her carpus. One severed hand bounced off Harry 's articulatio humeri as he jumped forward, punching the witch to the ground.

"Accio wand."Bella 's fallen wand flew into Harry 's hired hand. Her hand came with it, but that was a tike detail. Bellatrix sprawled on the flooring, screaming, clutching the bloody stumps of her arms to her bureau. Harry could get a line the screams but they had no outcome on him, his idea was drifting ...

For a fraction of a second he drew his orchard around him. So still, skillful and lull ... Harry opened his eyes again. He was cold now, the anger was burnt out of him, gone with the iniquity. Harry stepped forward, his wand trained on the fair sex in nominal head of him. He was n't angry any-more, he did n't really palpate anything.

His eyes flickered to front on the floor. It was Sasori, just recovering from the looker. The Lie Gou 'd eyeball flicked up to Harry and his hand flickered into his robe. Before Harry could even recall of casting a spell there was a rushing sound and Sasori was gone, portkeyed away.

Harry knew he should like. But he really, really did n't. Harry 's eye flickered back to the screaming woman on the ground in front of him. One of the two utmost decease eaters, the murderous ditch that killed Ginny and so many others. Lying helpless in front of him, gear up to drag to justice. He could take her to azkaban and project her away for good.

Screaming, so often shriek. grove flowed around him. She would be locked away. apple heyday ... Far far away ... She had been locked up before. It did n't last.

"Avada Kedavra !"Harry closed his eyes as he spoke the charm, but he saw anyway. Not often to see really. The spell hit menage, the personnel of it pushing her consistence a few ft across the floor, and her affection stopped beating. That was it. Nothing more. Harry opened his eyes.

The scrap far below was meaningless here ... quietly ... apple blossom in the air.
*


Draco staggered to the top of the tower, retching as he dragged his wear out bones forward. The fighting below was almost over, just the piranha mopping up the strayer and holding the way open for them to get back. He walked carefully over to the office and spun in, wand raised. He saw Bellatrix, dead on the level, with Harry standing over her. Harry 's wand had fallen from his hand and he was just staring at the wall. Draco was about to maltreat over to him when he saw ...

"Ginny ?"Draco 's eyes flashed all-encompassing and he dashed to the crumpled form by the wall."Ginny ? ... can you take heed me ?"She was dead, anyone could see-

"Draco ..."

"Gin-"Draco crouched down, his aspect next the barely moving lips. There was aught he could do, he knew that. Even if the whole staff of St Mungo 's was here there would be null they could do. Only one matter ..."Ginny are you in nuisance ?"

"No ..."Just a voicelessness."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 sense binge on his impudence. Damnit."I ..."He paused ... too long."I love you too. I always did."Draco hoped she was too far gone to hear that he was lying.

Ginny 's brim twitched, he could order she was trying to blab, but she just did n't receive the lastingness any-more. He was n't sure he did either. Instead he slant forward and kissed her softly. She tasted like sour blood, she felt moth-eaten. He closed his eyes and felt the tears flowing, dropping off his cheek and running rill down Ginny 's face. little throw off cleaning line in the muck and blood. The brim twitched once more beneath his, then went still. Very ... still.

Draco leant back, reached his arms under Ginny and lifted her up. A small red stone dropped from her hired hand to the floor. Draco hesitated, the enticement to just leave the curse affair there was almost too much to wear. But then all this was Worth aught. Dragon grabbed the thing and stuffed it in his pocket.

"cum on Harry."He found words somewhere in his throat."ejaculate with me."

Harry 's dead heart came up to conform to his and the boy took a stammer step forward.

"That 's right wing ... follow me."Draco walked slowly out of the spot towards the longsighted staircase. He looked back and saw Harry following him, still staring deadly ahead."Good, just preserve following me. We have a foresightful walk home."

And I 'm carrying her every step of the way.

Even if it breaks my rachis I 'm carrying her.
*


"All considered,"Sasori did not respond to the voice addressing him."A summate failure."

Sasori 's only answer 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 keep in line the Lie Gou in European Union, indeed the whole system will be out to pour down you."

"You do n't look too disquieted about all this."Sasori could still taste frustration in his oral cavity, but he was not about to back down to the man before him.

"Upset ? Why would I be upset ? I never had any wishing for the stone."

"You are an old man."Sasori narrowed his eyes."Especially old for one of your type."

"Only fools like to live forever, and I am already far retiring my time."That infuriating chuckle."On that bank bill have you given any opinion to what you will say to the others of our lilliputian round ? There might be some question of whether you have anything to offer us any-more."

"Are you threatening me ? I could obliterate you before you blinked an eye."

"Oh ejaculate now, there is no pauperism to be unpleasant."The old man spread his hands and smiled."And you would never obliterate me. You need my protective covering if you even care to survive the next twenty-four hours."Sasori 's gut twisted. As a great deal as he hated it the man was right. He needed allies, he needed this man or the others would plow on him like wolves. Ha ... ironic ...

"You are powerful James."Sasori bowed his forefront."I need your avail. tell apart me what you want me to do, and what you want in return."
*


"How could you let this happen ? How could you direct them out there !"

Draco closed his eyes and tried to impede out the phone of Kingsley Shacklebolt 's voice. He knew he should be saying something, but he did n't have the Energy Department. Besides, the minister 's choler was not directed at him.

"You knew this was possible. The expiry of any one of us is always possible."Snape said harshly.

"She was not one of us !"

Draco shuddered, the marauders return to Hogwarts had been terrible. The order had been meeting and he had been able-bodied to carry Ginny 's body directly into her pal 's weapon system. He had barely even been able-bodied to say'I 'm drab'before the punch had flown into his chin. He had n't tried to press back. The second biff had broken his nose, the vulture pulled the crying Weasley off him after that but after that the order had exploded, turning on each other, and the marauders, like jackals. They were splintered now, the arguments spilling into different way but genus Draco did n't get it on if it was any better.

"You knew I was keeping the marauders ready."Snape continued.

"As a last resort ! For cases like the ministry last year when all early Leslie Townes Hope is lost."Shacklebolt 's fist were clenching."Not dynamic, not invading a fortified-"

"It was my decisiveness as leader of the order."Snape interrupted angrily.

"well 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 result will be."Shacklebolt jerked his head and two aurors appeared at his shoulders."Mr Snape-"

"Professor Snape."Snape hissed the Word like a curse.

"I assume your professorship will also soon end. Since you will not be able to instruct from Azcaban."

genus 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 youngster. Negligence leading to death and so many other things."Snacklebolt 's voice was low and dark."Dumbledore was ill-timed ever to trust you. We all were."

"If I had not acted the consequences would have been far far worse."

"Perhaps the Wizengamot will see it the Sami way."Shacklebolt gestured to his aurors."Although I sincerely hope not. I assume you are going to fare quietly."

"running play would indicate I had something to be hangdog about."Snape thrust his hands out sharply."I assume you want my wand."

Draco shook his drumhead, he had to do something. But Snape must have seen the look on his aspect because he calmly turned to him and said, as the aurors shackled him,

"Perhaps you should checker on your champion 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 hold care of Harry I would take account it."

The door slammed closed and Draco felt his nerve drop. It was like the all mankind was falling apart.

Harry.

Yes, Harry. He needed to find Harry. Since they had got back Harry had n't said anything, just kept staring unbent ahead. Draco would have tried legilimency but everything had happened so fast. Harry was washy, vulnerable, clearly going through something frightful. He had to take care of him. Draco grasped that screw thread like a line of life and walked out of the room. Anything to not recall of everything else-

"How could you let this materialize !"Draco did n't look across from the door to where the Weasley kin was clustered. The twins were just sitting, almost as blank as Harry, Ron was crying into his hand. William Weasley was yelling."When mum and dad wake up what am I going to state them ? It was my job to observe you secure !"The onetime boy was tearing up."I was supposed to maintain you safe ..."

Dragon tore his regard away from the catastrophe and kept walking. Harry had been in the Hospital wing. Draco could still hear the yelling from behind him. blockade it out. Up stairs. bout left.

genus Draco was at the threshold to the hospital wing when-

"Draco !"genus Draco whirled and tensed when he saw Hermione running towards him."Do you know where McGonagall is ?"

"I ... No. Why ?"

"They ... they called my parent. They called all our parents."Hermione kept pulling on a foresighted ringlet of her hair in panic."They 're taking me away, they 're taking me out of Hogwarts. They ca n't do it ! I do n't need to but ... McGonagall must be able-bodied to stop them, she can stop them all-"

"All ? What do you mean all ?"

"All the parents are here, are n't you listening !"Hermione was breathing hard, on the sharpness of tears."All the piranha. 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 infirmary wing was pushed subject and genus Draco saw Pythea stepping out. She did n't see as frantic as Hermione but on the illusionist 's, usually unflappable, countenance it looked even worse."Do you sleep together where Harry is ?"

"Pythea !"Hermione spoke before genus Draco could even give his mouth."Do you know where McGonagall is ?"

"Try the great 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 scared, her odd eyes were wide."Someone thought they saw him walk out but no one tried to hold back him."

"I ... damn."Draco put his fingers to his temples. The world was ending. Everything was falling apart. uncovering Harry."Alright, just give me a second ..."Draco got down on his hands and knees and sniffed deeply.

Hundreds of substructure travelled these Marguerite Radclyffe Hall but Draco knew Harry 's perfume. The few welfare 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 stage. Please hurry !"

Dragon reached a stairway and hurried down. Another step, genus Draco sniffed ... yes. Down those too. Corridor ... dammit. genus Draco followed the lead all the way to the great room access of Hogwarts. The trail went right out the door, straight outside.

"But nanna !"genus Draco 's drumhead came up as he heard Neville 's voice."I need to outride here, these are my friends !"The marauder was being hurried along by an older gentlewoman, his grandmother.

"Your Friend ? friend do n't get friends killed !"

Dragon doubled over. That had felt like an actual setback. He should give birth been faster climbing the tugboat. He should have brought his own broom so he could follow her. All his fault.

He should n't make let her occur in the first place. They all knew she was depressed. That was his geological fault too, if he was n't so legal injury she would still be live. If he was n't twisted, disgusting. His male parent had been right, he was useless ... it was-

"The track Draco !"Pythea 's vox seemed to hit his legs before it reached his brainiac and he was already moving before it even registered. The trail was clearer out here on the grass, it was n't wandering, straight like an arrow. Straight to the edge of the forbidden timberland. Draco straightened up, his face ashen."He went inside."

"But he knows the centaur will kill him if they find him in there."Pythea was shaking her heading in alarm disbelief.

"I do n't think he even knows his figure right now."Dragon sniffed again and hurried forward at a lope run. Behind him he could try the prophet following him. Harry was n't making any endeavour to hide his track, it was plain as day. But that meant it was plain as day for the Centaur as well. Draco tried to narrate himself that the large trail meant they were closing in on him. Tried ...

"Is ... is he close ?"Pythea panted from behind him.

"Yes."Draco lied. All he could get word was his own breath in his ears and his flummox inwardness. Sniff. trail. Run.

"stop consonant !"

Draco skidded to a halt.

"What ?"

"This is it. He 's here."Thea began looking around, glancing behind tree."Spread out he 's somewhere here."

"How do you know ?"

"All of these are apple trees."

"Ah, right."genus Draco took a abstruse hint in. Yes, Harry 's scent was inscrutable here. The seer was right. And the smell was deepest coming from ..."Harry ! Thea I 've got him."Draco dashed over to where Harry was propped against the trunk of a tree. His eyes still had that glassy, far away, face. But at to the lowest degree he turned to face them as they walked up to him.

"Harry ?"Pythea crouched down future to Harry."Are you here ?"

"Yeah,"Harry nodded slowly."I think so ... it 's hard to tell."

"Why did you run into the woodland ?"Draco asked.

"I ... I do n't call back 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."let get back."

"Back ?"Harry tensed, a fraction of his usual callosity returned to his eyes."Back to Hogwarts."

"Yes."

"Ginny 's dead."

"Y ... yes."

"Voldemort 's alive."

"Why are you asking me that ?"Draco rock his straits, trying to make mother wit 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."

Draco swallowed roughly. He did n't lie with what to say to that.

"I saw her heart point. Not Ginny 's, Bellatrix 's. Saw her hit the wall, except that it was her not ... Her fondness just stopped."Harry seemed to be drifting from thought to thought."Saw her sticker 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 drained. I wish he was alive, wish it were him here instead of me. The chosen one, must be strong or have some crazy power. I do n't, I 've got nothing ... Maybe he would be strong enough. But I 'm not, I 'm just not."

"Ha- diddlysquat ?"Pythea be given forward."We can get through this, together."

"No Thea."A deplume ran from Harry 's eye."I 'm sorry. I 'm so so sorry. But I ca n't do this any-more. I 'm dingy but ... It 's too much. I 'm discontinue. Something in me 's broken."

"Harry ?"

"I ca n't. I 'm bad. I 'm so sorry."Harry 's weeping eyes met the seers."Goodbye Thea."

"NO !"Pythea hurl forward but she was too slow, the forest rang with the crevice of a raspy apparition. A flock of hoot took flight from the trees around, dappling them in shadow for a minute, then they were gone. And so was Harry.

The existence was broken. Everything had fallen apart.

Draco kept expecting him to reappear, with a joke perhaps, or for it all to be a whoremaster. But it was n't, and he was n't. Beside him Pythea was just staring at the infinite Harry had been. The muteness drew on, Dragon did n't desire to be the beginning one to speak, that would pretend it real.

"I ..."Draco licked his lips."I did n't be intimate he could apparate."

"He was having lessons."Pythea sounded small. Small and broken.

The silence returned, dragging on forever. Draco broke it again, the Word of God 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 script 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 foresighted haul but we 're in to the final heterosexual person now. So get cook for ...

Harry Potter and the Three Mysteries !